Emre Can scores the winner for Liverpool against Watford. John Walton
John Walton
EMRE CAN SCORED a sensational overhead bicycle kick as Liverpool galvanised their grip on third place in the Premier League by winning 1-0 at Watford.
Having seen top-four rivals Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all drop points on Sunday, Liverpool capitalised thanks to Can’s jaw-dropping effort in first-half injury time.
The Germany midfielder’s fifth goal of the season took Liverpool three points above fourth-placed City, albeit having played a game more, inching Jurgen Klopp’s side closer to Champions League qualification.
It was Liverpool’s third successive away win and got them back on track after a 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace on their previous outing had ended a seven-game unbeaten streak.
The only disappointment for the men in red at Vicarage Road was the early departure of playmaker Philippe Coutinho after he appeared to sustain a dead leg.
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Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho hobbled off. John Walton
John Walton
Walter Mazzarri’s Watford remain 13th, having been denied a last-gasp equaliser when centre-back Sebastian Prodl’s crisp effort thudded against the crossbar.
M’Baye Niang registered an early shot on target for the hosts, but a sleepy start to the game was remarkable more for injuries than penalty-box action.
Coutinho came off second-best in an early collision with recalled Watford defender Adrian Mariappa. The Brazil international soldiered on until the 13th minute before giving way for Adam Lallana, who came on to make his first appearance after a month out with a groin injury.
Six minutes later Watford were forced into a change of their own when defender Miguel Britos signalled that he was unable to continue, which brought Christian Kabasele into the fray.
Liverpool went close with a couple of efforts from distance, Can extending Heurelho Gomes from range and Lallana rattling the bar with a stunning 20-yard volley after Gomes had punched clear.
Liverpool's Adam Lallana under pressure from Watford's Christian Kabasele. John Walton
John Walton
The visitors were toiling, their lack of ideas exposed when Lucas Leiva received a 44th-minute booking for a totally unconvincing attempt to win a penalty off Tom Cleverley. But two minutes into stoppage time Liverpool went ahead with a Goal of the Season contender.
Lucas flighted a pass into the box and with Nordin Amrabat standing off, Can launched himself into a magnificent scissors kick from 15 yards out that catapulted the ball into the top-left corner.
Buoyed by Can’s moment of brilliance, Liverpool set about putting the game to bed in the second half. Gomes had to box away a James Milner free-kick and twice saved from Divock Origi, palming away a curling effort and then standing up well to thwart the Belgian striker in a one-on-one.
It took Watford until the 68th minute to register another shot on target. Etienne Capoue’s rising effort from distance was tipped over by Simon Mignolet, only for the officials to award a goal-kick, sparking a furious Watford reaction that saw Capoue booked for dissent.
The introduction of 21-year-old Nigerian Isaac Success gave Watford some attacking fizz and Daryl Janmaat almost caught Mignolet out with a curling effort from wide on the left.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after the final whistle. Adam Davy
Adam Davy
Liverpool might have won more comfortably had Gomes not saved from Joel Matip and substitute Daniel Sturridge, but they were indebted to the woodwork for thwarting Prodl at the death.
Can's spectacular overhead kick makes the difference for Liverpool
EMRE CAN SCORED a sensational overhead bicycle kick as Liverpool galvanised their grip on third place in the Premier League by winning 1-0 at Watford.
Having seen top-four rivals Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all drop points on Sunday, Liverpool capitalised thanks to Can’s jaw-dropping effort in first-half injury time.
The Germany midfielder’s fifth goal of the season took Liverpool three points above fourth-placed City, albeit having played a game more, inching Jurgen Klopp’s side closer to Champions League qualification.
It was Liverpool’s third successive away win and got them back on track after a 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace on their previous outing had ended a seven-game unbeaten streak.
The only disappointment for the men in red at Vicarage Road was the early departure of playmaker Philippe Coutinho after he appeared to sustain a dead leg.
Walter Mazzarri’s Watford remain 13th, having been denied a last-gasp equaliser when centre-back Sebastian Prodl’s crisp effort thudded against the crossbar.
M’Baye Niang registered an early shot on target for the hosts, but a sleepy start to the game was remarkable more for injuries than penalty-box action.
Coutinho came off second-best in an early collision with recalled Watford defender Adrian Mariappa. The Brazil international soldiered on until the 13th minute before giving way for Adam Lallana, who came on to make his first appearance after a month out with a groin injury.
Six minutes later Watford were forced into a change of their own when defender Miguel Britos signalled that he was unable to continue, which brought Christian Kabasele into the fray.
Liverpool went close with a couple of efforts from distance, Can extending Heurelho Gomes from range and Lallana rattling the bar with a stunning 20-yard volley after Gomes had punched clear.
The visitors were toiling, their lack of ideas exposed when Lucas Leiva received a 44th-minute booking for a totally unconvincing attempt to win a penalty off Tom Cleverley. But two minutes into stoppage time Liverpool went ahead with a Goal of the Season contender.
Lucas flighted a pass into the box and with Nordin Amrabat standing off, Can launched himself into a magnificent scissors kick from 15 yards out that catapulted the ball into the top-left corner.
Buoyed by Can’s moment of brilliance, Liverpool set about putting the game to bed in the second half. Gomes had to box away a James Milner free-kick and twice saved from Divock Origi, palming away a curling effort and then standing up well to thwart the Belgian striker in a one-on-one.
It took Watford until the 68th minute to register another shot on target. Etienne Capoue’s rising effort from distance was tipped over by Simon Mignolet, only for the officials to award a goal-kick, sparking a furious Watford reaction that saw Capoue booked for dissent.
The introduction of 21-year-old Nigerian Isaac Success gave Watford some attacking fizz and Daryl Janmaat almost caught Mignolet out with a curling effort from wide on the left.
Liverpool might have won more comfortably had Gomes not saved from Joel Matip and substitute Daniel Sturridge, but they were indebted to the woodwork for thwarting Prodl at the death.
– © AFP 2017
As it happened: Watford v Liverpool, Premier League
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