MOHAMED SALAH, TRENT Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino ensured Liverpool kept up with the searing pace set by Premier League leaders Manchester City by scoring in a 3-0 win at Watford.
Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled to find a way through the Hornets defence for 66 minutes on Saturday, the Reds perhaps having an eye on Wednesday’s pivotal Champions League game away to Paris Saint-Germain.
The hosts could have taken all three points, Gerard Deulofeu having an early goal ruled out for offside while a strong penalty appeal from Will Hughes was denied by the referee.
But Salah hit a first-time finish through the legs of goalkeeper Ben Foster, scoring his fourth goal in five Premier League games, before Alexander-Arnold’s wonderful free-kick put the visitors in control.
Their win was marred, though, when captain Jordan Henderson was dismissed with eight minutes to go, meaning will be banned for next weekend’s Merseyside derby, although Firmino added a late third.
Watford had a goal ruled out in the second minute, Deulofeu running on to Troy Deeney’s pass to beat Alisson with a smart finish, but he was offside.
Liverpool added Xherdan Shaqiri to a front three of Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane — who signed a new deal on Thursday — but it took them 38 minutes to record a shot.
Firmino found space and fired off a low effort which Foster held well, Roberto Pereyra then testing Alisson’s reflexes at the other end before the Watford goalkeeper kept out Salah’s header.
Referee Jon Moss waved away Watford penalty appeals when Hughes went down under Andy Robertson’s rash challenge early in the second half.
Salah should have opened the scoring, slotting his finish through Foster’s legs but wide of the far post, but he did break the deadlock soon after.
Firmino fed Mane through the left channel and the Senegal star pulled back a low cross for Salah, whose finish lacked power but was directed well enough to beat Foster.
Alexander-Arnold put Liverpool’s firmly in the ascendancy with 14 minutes to go, curling a fantastic 25-yard set piece out of Foster’s reach for his first Premier League goal of the year, before Henderson was sent off for a second yellow card late on.
And Firmino added his name to the scoresheet in the 89th minute, nodding in from close range after Foster denied Mane.
Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:
Great 2nd half performance. Fair play to Arnold after getting a bit of stick lately to score a cracker like that. Van Dijk was a rock and Robertson has to be the best left back in the league. Bring on PSG Wednesday night!
@Maureen: Happy with the three points but they were very tame for about 60 minutes or so. Last 30 very good. Despite the league position still haven’t been firing on all cylinders so thankfully the defence is solid. God I sound very moany for a 3 nil win. But they will need to be more for a win against psg I reckon.
@Seaniecp: It was never going to be easy with Watford taking a leaf out of Mourinhos book and parking the bus but the goal was coming and Arnold’s goal made sure of the 3 points.
PSG will be totally different with plenty of room in behind to run into, chances will be created, hopefully they will take a few of em and seal their place in the next round.
@Seaniecp: no coincidence that the goals came when Watford had to start playing football. They set out to defend and got punished for it at the end. Liverpool still nowhere near our best though, can’t help but think the constant formation changes has something to do with it. Will take that points tally any day though!
“the hosts could have taken all 3 points”.
That’s an unusual assessment of a 3-0 win!
They still haven’t got out of 1st gear and City are at full pelt, and we’re 2 point’s off. More than happy with that.
@Mike Lyn: I suppose the real question is will they hit the attacking levels of last year. I’m not so sure myself. Definitely a more pragmatic approach this year. Better to win by 1 than 4
@Mark Noonan: I believe if we come through December still in touch we have a real chance of winning it. The attack will click no doubt and a sound defence, ya never know. Going out of Champion’s League would hurt, but having the squad to concentrate on League alone wouldn’t be too bad. If we click at right time and have only League to think about i have no doubt we can best City. IMO.
Nice result, first half was a struggle but once the first goal went in there was no trouble from Watford! But how stupid was Henderson head was gone from previous tackle! Vvd for Captain
I think I’d prefer to win by 4 than 1, might be handy if it comes down to goal difference