Watford vs Liverpool: Result and reaction from Premier League fixture
All the reaction from the extraordinary game at Vicarage Road
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool's unbeaten run of success in this season's Premier League was ended in unfathomable fashion on Saturday as struggling Watford hammered the European champions 3-0 at their ecstatic Vicarage Road stadium.
Ismaila Sarr inspired the extraordinary upset, stunning Liverpool with two goals in six second-half minutes before he set up captain Troy Deeney with a third for the team who had started the day one from bottom, 55 points behind the runaway leaders.
Liverpool's first league defeat of the season meant the end of their hopes of going the whole league campaign as unbeaten as the new 'Invincibles' after 44 league matches without a defeat.
It also came on the evening when they were expected to surpass champions Manchester City by creating a new English top-flight record of 19 successive league victories.
The setback will doubtless not stop Juergen Klopp's men going on to lift their first English title for 30 years as they still remain 22 points ahead of their nearest pursuers, yet their season's aura of domestic invincibility has now been demolished.
Liverpool had previously dropped only two points in the league this season -- their draw at Manchester United in October -- but from the start, Watford attacked them with unexpected vigour.
Watford had looked the more likely to break the deadlock in the first half with Gerard Deulofeu proving Liverpool's main tormentor before he was taken off by stretcher with a knee injury.
Yet it was only when Sarr struck twice just before the hour mark and then turned provider for Deeney to shoot home a third that the 'mission impossible' became a reality.
How to watch
Which TV channel is it on?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, and HD channels.
Can I stream the game online?
Sky Sports subscribers can watch the game via the Sky Sports website and the Sky Go app.
Watford 1 - 0 Liverpool - Sarr
54 mins: GOAL! Watford take the lead at Vicarage Road and they deserve it. A throw in is launched into the box. It's allowed to bounce and the ball goes over the head of Lovren. Doucoure runs on to it and cuts the ball back into the six-ayard box to Sarr. Sarr has a tap in to give Watford the lead.
Watford 1 - 0 Liverpool
57 mins: Lovren leans on Deeney and gives away a free kick. The ball is sent into the box and Deeney gets in front of van Dijk and heads it wide. Liverpool have the backs against the wall now. What can they come up with in response?
Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool - Sarr
60 mins: GOAL! A Watford throw in on the right wing is kept in play by Troy Deeney and he sends the ball forward for Sarr. Sarr gets behind the defenders and he's in on goal by the time he collects the ball. Alisson comes out ot close him down but Sarr puts the ball over him and into the net!
Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool
63 mins: Adam Lallana comes on for Gini Wijnaldum. Liverpool have been stung in the Hornet's nest and need to find a way out.
Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool
66 mins: Lallana wins a corner for Liverpool. Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaced by Divock Origi as Jurgen Klopp goes hunting for goals.
Alexander-Arnold's corner is cleared by Capoue.
Lallana has a shot from range and hits the post!
Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool
69 mins: Doucoure takes down Mane on the right edge of the box and Liverpool have a free kick. Alexander-Arnold fires it into the box but Watford head it away.
Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool - Deeney
72 mins: GOAL! What is happening?! Lovren is forced off the ball but luckily it comes out to Alexander-Arnold. He passes the ball back to Alisson but Sarr is expecting it and he intercepts the pass. Alisson closes him down so Sarr passes back to Deeney who slots the ball into the open goal from just inside the box.
Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool
75 mins: Watford have been incredible. They're out of sight now, they'll get a much needed three points. Liverpool have been blown away by them today.
Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool
78 mins: Firmino makes way for Minamino as Liverpool make another change. Origi sends the ball into the box from the left and finds Mane. He heads the ball back across goal but Watford clear.
Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool
81 mins: Sarr is played in on goal again. He runs past Lovren and takes hold of the ball. He is one-on-one with Alisson and goes for the bottom far corner but sends the ball wide.
It's his last action of the match as he gets replaced by Pussetto.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments