Liverpool topped the Premier League after overcoming Watford 2-0 at Anfield on Saturday.
Knowing that a point would take them, at least temporarily, above Manchester City there was nonetheless a slow and steady sense about how the Reds started the lunchtime clash.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was described as “fully fit” by Jurgen Klopp ahead of the match yet was only on the bench with Benfica and Manchester City on the horizon. Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino started in attack, leaving Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz among the substitutes.
Watford, who would have remained in the relegation zone even with a victory, started well enough in pursuit of a first win at Anfield since 1999.
A threat on the break, the Hornets crafted a major opening for Juraj Kucka after 20 minutes, which ended with Alisson Becker coming off his line to deny his shot one-on-one.
Within a minute, the ball was in the Watford net. Liverpool came up the pitch quickly and Joe Gomez, in for Alexander-Arnold at right-back, delivered a fantastic cross that was more reminiscent of his teammate for Diogo Jota to head home.
The Reds were far from their sharpest, perhaps down to the early kick-off, the international break, Watford’s competence, or a combination of all three.
Yet, the game was always heading in their favour with Watford completely losing both Virgil van Dijk and Jota from set-pieces, which resulted in both heading over from good positions.
Liverpool wrapped up the win from 12 yards after VAR spotted Kucka’s scrum-like tackle on Jota at a corner, which allowed Fabinho the chance to net from the spot.
The result meant former leaders City took on their own game against one of the strugglers, Burnley, from two points behind and with the title race finely-poised ahead of the top two’s meeting next week.
