Middlesbrough vs Swansea - Karanka urges Middlesbrough to move on from Liverpool mauling

Posted Saturday, December 17, 2016 by PA

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has told his players to shrug off the memory of their midweek mauling by Liverpool and concentrate on claiming three priceless points against Premier League relegation rivals Swansea.

Boro were swept aside in a stunning second-half display by Jurgen Klopp's men on Wednesday but Karanka knows his side's fate is more likely to be sealed in games such as their next two fixtures against the Swans and then Burnley on Boxing Day.

Having previously taken points against Arsenal and Manchester City this season, Karanka felt Wednesday was the first time his players have been outclassed in this campaign - but despite dropping within three points of the bottom three he insists there is no reason to panic.

Karanka said: "Apart from 15 minutes against Everton and the first half against Tottenham we had competed against every single team so it was tough for us, but we have to forget that second half and look at the way we are going.

"I don't want to put on the pressure because we are in December and we are playing well, we are playing with consistency and creating chances. I would like us to play the same way as we did against Hull, especially because we are at home."

Karanka has mixed news on the injury front with George Friend set to return after missing five games with a knee injury, while Gaston Ramirez faces a late fitness test on a foot complaint and striker Cristhian Stuani is still definitely out.

Swansea boss Bob Bradley believes the respective Premier League positions of his team and Middlesbrough give their Riverside clash added importance.

Swansea head north on the back of a 3-1 defeat at West Brom, while they have collected just one point from seven away league games since an opening weekend victory over Burnley.

Currently lying 18th in the table, one place below Middlesbrough, Swansea's final game before Christmas is a crucial encounter.

"You look at the table, and games against teams that are closer to you do take on more importance," Swansea manager Bradley said.

"But I think we can all agree that every game is massive for us right now.

"We understand that the start to the season we have had, and the league position we are in, make it extra important every time we step on to the field.

"If we can put a little bit of a run together at some point, then all of a sudden we would be out of the bottom three.

"The disappointment of West Brom was that we were not able to build on our win against Sunderland, but now we have to try to start a good run again."

Swansea are not thought to have any fresh fitness concerns but Federico Fernandez and Ki Sung-yueng look likely to remain absent.

Both players have been recovering from toe injuries - South Korean midfielder Ki has missed the last four games - and they are set to sit out Swansea's third game in eight days.