Ayew netted either side of a stunning effort from Jack Cork to secure all three points for Swansea in south Wales
A disciplined Swansea City put in one of their best performances of the season to beat Liverpool 3-1 in south Wales.
Jurgen Klopp's starting XI, with an average age of just 23, showed just how little value the German placed in this fixture but he will have nonetheless been disappointed with the way his side were outplayed.
A resurgent Andre Ayew took advantage of some suspect defending to head the hosts in front before Jack Cork provided a reminder of why he was once such a highly rated youngster when he curled in a shot from 25 yards.
Substitute Christian Benteke then reduced the deficit but Ayew wriggled away from a static back line to restore the two-goal cushion.
Liverpool's afternoon got worse shortly after when Brad Smith was sent off for a second bookable offence.
1. Liverpool didn't turn up
There's only one competition that still matters for Liverpool this season and it's not the Premier League.
If the team selection didn't give it away - it was their youngest starting XI of the Premier League era - then the lack of concentration from the players certainly did.
Daniel Sturridge, Seyi Ojo and Danny Ward were competent, but Klopp's chosen XI will have to perform a lot better than this to have any chance of overcoming their first leg deficit in the Europa League on Thursday.
2. Ayew won't be short of summer suitors
Unless Swansea show the sort of ambition they did last summer, Andre Ayew may start looking for a new club, and he won't be short of suitors.
His form dipped mid-season when the Swans were going through their slump but he remains a quality player. He looked lively throughout and cause Liverpool problems.
The Ghana international made up for his lack of height by showing great movement at a corner to lose his marker and head in the opener.
And when a resurgent Liverpool scored in the second half and were pressing for an equaliser, it was Ayew who evaded the entire visiting defence to restore Swansea's two-goal lead.
3. Benteke running out of time
With one eye on Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Villarreal, Klopp fielded a considerably weakened side in south Wales.
But while youngsters Pedro Chirivella, Kevin Stewart, Brad Smith, Seyi Ojo and Danny Ward all started, £32million-striker Benteke had to settle for a place on the bench, eventually coming on as a second half substitute.
The big Belgian scored a diving header shortly after the hour mark, but it seems unlikely such contributions will be enough to convince Klopp he warrants a place in this squad.
4. Cork finally valued by a club
A former Chelsea youth captain who was shipped out on seven loans before being sold to Southampton in 2011, Cork is a player who, despite is relatively young years, has seen plenty of clubs.
When he was considered surplus to requirements at Southampton many fans were surprised, but in Swansea the 26-year-old has finally found a club who appreciate his considerable talents.
His performances have been improving all year for the Swans and he capped another impressive performance with a stunning goal from distance.
5. Swans so disappointing this season
Liverpool were below par in south Wales, but this match highlights what Swansea are capable of.
So much has been made of Everton, Chelsea, Newcastle and teams letting their fans down this season but the same must be said of Swansea.
There is quality throughout this squad, and they shouldn't be as close to the relegation places as they are.
PLAYER RATINGS
by Andrew Gwilym
SWANSEA (4-2-3-1)
Fabianski - 7
Beaten by Benteke but dependable as ever between the sticks.
Rangel - 6
Got forward regularly and comfortable defensively.
Amat - 6
Couple of iffy moments but solid on a rare start.
Williams - 7
Made several crucial clearances as Liverpool fought back.
Taylor - 7
Worked his socks off up and down his flank.
Cork - 8
Stunning goal capped a workaholic display.
Britton - 6
Worked intelligently alongside midfield partner Cork.
Routledge - 6
Took up good positions but did not always make most of them.
Sigurdsson - 7
His movement caused Liverpool all manner of problems.
Montero - 7
His pace was a constant threat for the Swans.
Ayew - 9
Grafted tirelessly and got his reward with two fine finishes.
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)
Ward - 6
Rooted to his line for the Swansea opener.
Clyne - 6
Relished his battle with fellow speed merchant Montero.
Skrtel - 6
Struggled to hold Liverpool together during tough first half.
Lovren - 6
Made one crucial block as lack of cover ensured Reds defence were busy.
Smith - 5
An uncertain start but was growing into the game before dismissal.
Stewart - 6
A peripheral figure initially but helped by introduction of Lucas.
Chirivella - 4
Not a Premier League debut to remember. Hauled off after 45 error-strewn minutes.
Ojo - 6
At fault for Ayew’s second but showed some nice touches.
Coutinho - 6
Kept quiet aside from one glorious pass for Sturridge.
Ibe - 6
Liverpool’s brightest spark in poor first half but faded.
Sturridge - 6
Failed to take his chance to stake a claim for Europa League spot.
English Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Logo &Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Leicester City | 36 | 22 | 11 | 3 | 64 | 34 | 30 | 77 |
| 2 |  Tottenham Hotspur | 35 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 65 | 26 | 39 | 69 |
| 3 |  Arsenal | 36 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 59 | 34 | 25 | 67 |
| 4 |  Manchester City | 36 | 19 | 7 | 10 | 66 | 36 | 30 | 64 |
| 5 |  Manchester United | 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 31 | 12 | 60 |
| 6 |  West Ham United | 35 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 60 | 43 | 17 | 59 |
| 7 |  Southampton | 36 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 51 | 37 | 14 | 57 |
| 8 |  Liverpool | 35 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 59 | 48 | 11 | 55 |
| 9 |  Stoke City | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 38 | 52 | -14 | 48 |
| 10 |  Chelsea | 34 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 53 | 46 | 7 | 47 |
| 11 |  Everton | 35 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 55 | 49 | 6 | 44 |
| 12 |  Watford | 35 | 12 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 42 | -6 | 44 |
| 13 |  Swansea City | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 37 | 50 | -13 | 43 |
| 14 |  West Bromwich Albion | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 32 | 46 | -14 | 41 |
| 15 |  Bournemouth | 36 | 11 | 8 | 17 | 43 | 63 | -20 | 41 |
| 16 |  Crystal Palace | 36 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 36 | 46 | -10 | 39 |
| 17 |  Newcastle United | 36 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 39 | 64 | -25 | 33 |
| 18 |  Sunderland | 35 | 7 | 11 | 17 | 40 | 58 | -18 | 32 |
| 19 |  Norwich City | 35 | 8 | 7 | 20 | 35 | 61 | -26 | 31 |
| 20 |  Aston Villa | 36 | 3 | 7 | 26 | 27 | 72 | -45 | 16 |
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