Emre Can’s stunning first-half goal was enough to hand Liverpool a 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road on Monday evening.
The Reds were dealt a blow after 12 minutes when Philippe Coutinho was forced off with an injury.
He was replaced by Adam Lallana.
The visitors went close to taking the lead after 21 minutes but Heurelho Gomes was on hand to palm Emre Can’s long range effort wide of the upright.
Watford, meanwhile, were quite content to sit back and soak up the pressure while looking to catch the visitors on the counter.
Liverpool went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute as Lallana’s first-time volley crashed against the crossbar.
Jurgen Klopp’s charges eventually took the lead in first-half stoppage time as Lucas Leiva picked out Can, who scored with a superb bicycle kick.
Watford carved out their first opening after 68 minutes when Etienne Capoue forced Simon Mignolet into a superb finger-tip save from 20-yards out.
The hosts opted for a change after 71 minutes as Capoue made way for Nigerian forward, Isaac Success.
The Hornets pushed for an equaliser and went close after 84 minutes through Daryl Janmaat, whose long range effort forced Mignolet into a good reaction save.
Watford went even closer in stoppage time when defender Sebastian Prodl rattled the crossbar with a volley from 12-yards out.
Nonetheless, Klopp’s charges managed to hold out till the final whistle, as they move three points clear of Manchester City in third spot. – Africa Sports24.
