Tuesday 17 March 2015 10:31, UK
Swansea City manager Garry Monk believes his side were punished for failing to capitalise on their first-half supremacy in their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Jordan Henderson’s 68th-minute strike sealed the Liverpool win as Brendan Rodgers' side move to within two points of top-four rivals Manchester United.
Swansea started the game the better of the two sides but were thwarted by a string of top-class saves from Simon Mignolet, and Monk voiced is displeasure at the nature of the defeat.
“Ultimately its disappointment,” Monk told Monday Night Football. “We had an opportunity presented to us, an opportunity where we should have probably got something from that game to be honest.
“In the first half we were superb, we played some great football really moved it well, dictated things and should have got a goal, maybe a couple then it would have been a different game in the second half.
“But credit to Liverpool, they came back out showed what quality they have but for all the pressure they did have in the second half they didn’t really create a lot of chances.
“To concede the goal the way we did, a deflected goal was very hard to take for the players and unfortunately we couldn’t get anything from the game.
“We totally controlled the game first half but against these big teams, in the big moments when you are doing well you have to take that opportunity, take that chance and get that goal or those two goals then it sets the game up totally different.
“We’ve been doing that pretty well this season so I’m disappointed we didn’t do that in the first half.
“In the second half Liverpool stepped up, our passing became a little bit sloppy and not as crisp and we tired towards the end. I think we deserved at least a point from the game.”
While disappointed with the result, Monk was full of praise for his players' commitment on Monday.
He remained confident the Swans could surpass Brendan Rodgers’ Premier League record points total achieved during his spell in South Wales.
“The commitment and effort from my players tonight was fantastic and it’s just a shame that we haven’t got anything to show for our efforts,” he added.
“We will take the positives out of this game, we’re still on target for the 47 points to beat the best total we’ve had in this league.
“If we play like we did in the first half for the remainder of our games I’m sure we’ll be able to get a lot more points in the games to come.”
