Jurgen Klopp's men area two points beforehand of Manchester City, who journey to Burnley afterward Saturday, having trailed the English champions via 14 points just over two months ago. The go to of the Hornets kicked off a massive month for the Reds as they stay inside the hunt for a historic quadruple of trophies. A capacity identify decider away to City subsequent weekend falls in among both legs of a Champions League quarter-final towards Benfica earlier than another meeting with City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Klopp should come up with the money for the luxurious of leaving Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane at the bench after their hard work on international duty, along Trent Alexander-Arnold on his go back from damage. However, the hosts did no longer have the easy afternoon Klopp would have was hoping for with harder checks to come back.
Watford are in desperate need of factors for their very own warfare to beat relegation. Ismaila Sarr started out alongside Mane as Senegal beat Mohamed Salah's Egypt on penalties for the second time in much less than two months to add World Cup qualification to winning the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday. Sarr was blanketed from the begin through Roy Hodgson and changed into a main threat as he nearly caught Alisson Becker off his line early on.
Liverpool wanted the Brazilian goalkeeper to be at this satisfactory for a few seconds that determined the game midway via the primary half. Alisson stood his ground to parry Juraj Kucka's effective low attempt while the Slovakian became played thru on intention. The home side rapidly broke up the opposite end and Alexander-Arnold's deputy, Joe Gomez, swung in a pass and Jota nipped in beforehand of Ben Foster to go in his twentieth intention of the season.
But there was a anxiousness round Anfield as Watford refused to wilt or even had a wonderful risk to equaliser in the 2d half. Sarr again created the chance with a burst down the left and his cut returned turned into slotted wide by Joao Pedro.
Liverpool needed to wait till a minute from time to get the 2-purpose cushion they desired when Kucka wrestled Jota to the floor from a corner. Salah had already been subbed by using Mane at that degree so Fabinho took responsibility from the spot and smashed into the pinnacle corner to secure Liverpool's 10th consecutive Premier League win.
