Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a battling home victory over strugglers Watford in Nigel Pearson’s first game in charge.
Mohamed Salah scored twice, curling the ball into the far corner for the opener before flicking in a late second in the final minute of normal time at Anfield.
Watford missed chances in both halves too, while Liverpool’s Sadio Mane had a header ruled out for offside following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR).
Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league this season while Watford sit six points from safety at the bottom of the table.
The Reds were made to work for their victory though – goalkeeper Alisson making smart saves after the break, while Watford’s Ismaila Sarr also wasted a huge chance.
Salah squandered opportunities of his own too, but Liverpool did enough to pick up their 16th victory of the season and open up an 11-point gap at the top ahead of second-placed Leicester City’s game against Norwich later on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
Liverpool grind out another win
It wasn’t pretty, but once again Liverpool got the job done.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have made Anfield a fortress and it was clear from the opening few minutes that they were going to dominate possession and break Watford down.
A long ball over the top from Virgil van Dijk almost set Salah on his way within minutes and Roberto Firmino could have been away shortly after, pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the area.
But the chances were few for Liverpool in a first half that saw Watford defend in numbers and remain compact.
Watford had chances on the break but didn’t take them – Will Hughes dragging a shot wide and Etienne Capoue having an effort blocked in the box.
And in the end it was Liverpool who capitalised with a break of their own – the front three of Firmino, Mane and Salah combining for the opener.
Sarr then missed a golden opportunity to equalise five minutes later and Liverpool keeper Alisson had to make two smart close-range saves early in the second half.
The Anfield crowd, who were frustrated at times by a lack of intensity and sloppiness, grew anxious as the game wore on – Van Dijk almost passing the ball into his own net following a mix up with Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold being caught out of possession on the right.
But the European champions, who are chasing a first league title in 30 years, were carrying winning momentum and victory here at Anfield leaves them heading into the new year with a healthy lead at the top of the table.
