Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the only way is up for his in-form Liverpool side following a fifth league win on the bounce.

The Reds overcame Swansea City 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night to maintain their recent impressive form, closing to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United in the process.

Following a slow start to the campaign, Liverpool are now in a strong position to oust their great rivals for a place in next season's Champions League, with the two set to face off at Anfield this weekend.

"It's step by step," Rodgers told the club's official website. "It was always going to be a process for us. We were so far behind and to be looking to make up the points was just going to take time.

"But we've put ourselves in a really good position now with nine games to go; the consistency and confidence of the team is really high."

Liverpool's last league defeat came back in December against United at Old Trafford.