Prior to the three o’clock kickoffs on Saturday, Liverpool went 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League following a narrow victory against Watford.
Nigel Pearson will be delighted with the Watford performance and it seems they have already improved greatly since the exit of Quique Sanchez Flores a few weeks ago, however the concerns in the final third still remain.
Sarr, Doucoure and Deeney all missed brilliant chances to rustle Liverpool’s feathers; however, when you go to a place such as Anfield and don’t take your chances, it is always only a matter of time before you get punished.
It was Mo Salah who forced this punishment on Watford and Pearson after a poor Watford corner was followed by a devastating counter-attack. Sadio Mane played the Egyptian through against the makeshift left-back Kiko Femenia, which was only going to end in one result as Foster watched the ball fly past him on the edge of the box.
The game from that point continued in its scrappy fashion, with Mane having a goal ruled out for offside and Deulofeu missing a chance to equalise. But perhaps more worryingly for Liverpool fans is the fact that Wijnaldum had to be withdrawn in the middle of the second half. With Fabinho already out, the alarm bells could come ringing in the transfer window for Jurgen Klopp as the Reds come up to the business end of the season.
Despite Firmino and Mane missing further chances to put the game to bed, Salah managed to flick home in the dying minutes to seal the three points and make sure they remain firmly at the top going into the Club World Cup.
It was a promising performance from Watford, but ultimately it was Liverpool who walked away the happier of the teams, as they managed to show grit to hold out and seal the win.
Mo Salah
The Egyptian king proved again why he is one of the most rated players in world football. The way he can drift in and out of games, only to get on the end of crosses and chances is remarkable, and it explains his supreme goal scoring form over the last few years.
I think it’s pretty obvious that if the “Egyptian King” carries on like this, then Liverpool will most probably finally win the title.
Positives for Watford
They created chances, they defended reasonably well and ultimately didn’t look like a team who are bottom of the table. Certain players stepped up to the battle, such as Will Hughes, Etienne Capoue and Sarr, and these players are evidently going to be key in instigating a Watford survival.
There is a good feeling that a new manager bounce could get Watford out of trouble in the new year, and with all the right signs being shown so far, Watford fans are confident that they could stay up.
Next Up
Watford host Manchester United next weekend whilst a likely second string Liverpool head to Villa Park to play Dean Smith’s men in the Carabao Cup.
