PA PhotosMichael Laudrup has Swansea playing an up-tempo style

The much-anticipated reunion with Brendan Rodgers couldn't have gone much better for Swansea, but beyond the result lay a more significant victory. Whilst Rodgers is still trying to convince a wary Liverpool locker-room to buy into his philosophy, Michael Laudrup's Swans appear to have surpassed the teachings of their old master, clearly the better side for the majority of the game.

In his post-match interview, Rodgers' partially attributed his side's loss to having played “too slow”. It seems doubtful this fairly standard comment was intended to be quite so revealing, but in acknowledging the difference in tempo between the sides, Rodgers summed up the biggest weakness in his philosophy and the most positive improvement the Swans have made since his departure.

Rodgers' Swans might have played some pretty football, but as I have taken pains to point out before, his Swans often looked like they were stuck in slow-motion. Under Michael Laudrup, the Swans attacking play in particular is executed at pace and with purpose. Gone is the slow passing up to the periphery of the penalty area, whilst the opposition pack men behind the ball. The Swans’ new potential for quick-fire attacks, especially on the counter, has seldom been as well executed as on Wednesday night.

The Swans haven't just benefited from tactical tweaks, either. The players Laudrup has brought to the team are each coming into their own; Jonathan de Guzman and Chico netted their first goals for Swansea against Liverpool. All five of the first-team calibre players Laudrup brought to Swansea now feature as starters.

Where there could be conflict - notably on the wing with newcomer Pablo pushing established players Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer for starts - there is instead inspiration. Laudrup continues to make use of every possible combination of these wide players, and the rotation seems to be helping the Swans creativity to flow.

It was Dyer's turn to start with Pablo after a few games on the bench, and Pablo's first turn on the left since his introduction as a late sub against Villa early in the season. Gratifyingly, both players combined for Dyer's goal, and created a number of other chances throughout. In the middle, Michu is rapidly asserting himself as the side's most explosive player, lately as the lone striker after having already scored a number of goals playing in the hole behind Danny Graham, who is now resigned to the bench.

De Guzman and Ki have elevated the midfield to a higher standard, and combine with Leon Britton to make a neat set of traffic lights; the attacking de Guzman (green), the box-to-box Ki (amber) and the defensive Britton (red). It is a smart balance and exemplifies Laudrup's ability to find the right talent for his well-considered system.

Finally, in defence, Chico has put a few shaky performances behind him to emerge as a real beast at the back. His goal, which had been coming, seems to signal the Spaniard's arrival proper. Now settled in, the exuberant pony-tailed centre back looks set to form an imposing partnership with Ash Williams, who is also gratefully back on form.

The Swans former boss continues to battle through the quicksand of reinventing an inherited roster with tightening purse strings whilst carrying the weight of the Kop on his shoulders and praying the entire time that Luis Suarez doesn't get injured. Meanwhile, his old team, and their new manager, are flying more freely than ever before. The Swans will play Middlesborough at home in their first ever league cup quarter final.

Positives : The win. The nature of the goals. Solid stuff from Gerhard Tremmel. More team chemistry than sports day in the science department.

Negatives : Playing a strong side in every cup game will increase late season fatigue. However, winner's adrenaline is a better remedy for fatigue than watching cup games from the sofa.

 

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