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Fernando Llorente says Swansea's Super Sunday clash with Leicester like a cup final

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Swansea's Fernando Llorente says the Swans' clash with fellow strugglers Leicester City is like a cup final

Fernando Llorente says Swansea's Super Sunday clash with Leicester is like a cup final in the battle to avoid the drop.

Swansea, who have improved of late under Paul Clement, are currently level on 21 points with the Premier League champions, one point off the relegation zone.

Swansea host Claudio Ranieri's Foxes at the Liberty Stadium at 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1, and Spaniard Llorente says the Swans have to win.

Live Nissan Super Sunday

He told Sky Sports: "The situation was very, very difficult, and now we have the possibility of staying out of the relegation zone. Now we have a final. It's like a final for us.

"This Sunday against Leicester for us is so important. Because the last result was not good for us. All the other teams we are fighting with won the last match.

Swansea City's Spanish striker Fernando Llorente (3R) rises high to head the ball and score their second goal during the English Premier League football ma
Image: Llorente scored twice in the recent 3-2 win over Liverpool

"Now the six teams are very narrow, and now we are level with Leicester, we have to win this match. We play at home, which for us is good.

"Now I think we have more confidence, and we believe we can stay in the Premier League. Now the team plays better. It's difficult to beat us.

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"I am surprised by Leicester. I thought they would be fighting for 5th, 6th, but in the Premier League it is difficult. Now they have to fight like us for relegation."

After watching them win at Crystal Palace on Tuesday, Paul Clement's Swansea side lost in his first game in charge
Image: Paul Clement has brought some fight to the Swansea side since taking over from Bob Bradley

Llorente, 31, joined Swansea from Seville in the summer, fresh from winning the Europa League with the Spanish club.

He has eight goals in the Premier League, two of which came in a stunning 3-2 win at Liverpool last month, but Llorente says the English top flight is different to anywhere he has played across Europe.

"It's different in the Premier League, because in this competition there are the best players, it's more physical than the others, and I am very happy to be there.

"It is different, because in the last years I was fighting to win Serie A, or the Europa League. But I have had relegation battles in my two first years at Bilbao, 20 and 21, so I know this.

"I think my style of play is good for the Premier League. I think it is good for me."

Llorente was linked with a move to Chelsea in the January transfer window, but insists his focus is only on Swansea, and that if the club do not accept an offer for him, he is happy with his contract at the Welsh club.

Wilfred Ndidi and Andy King of Leicester City look dejected
Image: Champions Leicester are just a point off the relegation zone

"The situation is clear, I am a player of Swansea and have two years on my contract. I can do nothing, If Swansea don't do anything [accept an offer], for me, it's good.

"Swansea give me the opportunity in the Premier League. Last year, another team could have called me, but Swansea called me, gave me an opportunity, and now it is the moment. Now I have to work, to continue in this way, and at the end of the season we'll have to see."

Watch the extended interview with Fernando Llorente on Super Sunday, Sky Sports 1 from 3.30pm before Swansea v Leicester

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