Salah shows way for Liverpool to stay in pursuit
Liverpool’s ultimate ambition is to overtake Manchester City, but for the moment they are excelling in the weighty task of stalking them.
News of City plundering goals in London was filtering through to Vicarage Road, the sighs audible in the away end when confirmation was provided at half-time by Watford’s announcer.
Rather than a chilly November with a challenger seeking to manoeuvre their way into position, it felt Liverpool were in the closing straight in spring, playing to prevent another Pep procession. That made what followed more impressive, Liverpool scoring three in the second half to secure victory.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were toiling for a break before Mohamed Salah’s volley turned the game in the 67th minute. Not that they played with anxiety. The patience made the second half their most complete showing this season. “It was a real mature performance. I am not sure we controlled games [last season] in the manner we do now,” said Klopp. “In similar games to this, it was not clear we controlled the game.”
Liverpool are getting used to days where grinders shine as much as artists. This time the former facilitated the latter. Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane thrived in the latter stages – the Brazilian heading the third after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s sublime free-kick had made it 2-0.
The foundations were laid by defensive fortitude. Virgil van Dijk was again exemplary, so too Dejan Lovren.
Watford, set up to counter- attack, could not respond even when Liverpool lost captain Jordan Henderson late on because of two bookings for clumsy rather than malicious challenges. Javi Gracia’s side was intermittently dangerous and their fans believed the game-changer was referee Jon Moss more than Salah. Andy Robertson’s 56thminute challenge on Gerard Deulofeu ignited the stadium, Watford’s players sure there was contact on their winger in the penalty box. Moss, presumably believing the Spaniard’s fall theatrical, denied the appeal. In a match where the opening goal always felt it would be decisive, it was crucial. Gracia was non-committal. “The last two games we have been unlucky with some decisions but I prefer to support the referees,” he said.
There was still plenty to encourage Gracia in defeat. Watford willingly conceded possession, but were defensively sound.
Deulofeu’s running and trickery was a danger. He thought he had scored after just two minutes, only to be flagged offside after he had beaten Alisson in the Liverpool goal. Alisson, who took a few too many chances with his playmaking, looked more secure when repelling Roberto Pereyra in 39 minutes.
Liverpool’s early passing was ponderous. When the pace quickened, the chances flowed. Mane almost celebrated his new contract with a spectacular overhead kick, pushed clear by Foster. A dive low to the right to deny Salah’s header was more impressive.
Liverpool’s urgency and class finally told with 23 minutes left, Klopp’s famed front three inevitably constructing it. Firmino sent Mane scurrying down the left and his cross was volleyed by Salah for the Egyptian’s ninth of the season. His eagle celebration was suspiciously similar to that of his old rival Sergio Ramos, who denied committing a doping offence before the weekend. Coincidence or a message?
When Alexander-Arnold struck spectacularly from his 25-yard setpiece the points were secure, even though Henderson’s red card – he will now miss next weekend’s Merseyside derby – was a late scare.
Robertson’s 89th-minute surge down the left enabled Firmino to land the final blow. “One of the best counter-attacks I ever saw,” said Klopp, whose team has more points at this stage of a Premier League season than any other in Anfield history.