Watford vs. Liverpool: Score, Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match
Watford stunned Liverpool 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday as manager Jurgen Klopp watched his team capitulate at Vicarage Road.
Opening goals from Nathan Ake and Odion Ighalo gave the hosts a strong two-goal lead at half-time, and the latter sealed the points with his second strike late in the game.
The Reds were without injured quartet Simon Mignolet, Dejan Lovren, James Milner and Daniel Sturridge, and the absence of their No. 1 was to be felt in the opening seconds of the match, as replacement Adam Bogdan made a howler for the first goal against an unchanged Watford.
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The Hungarian dropped a regulation catch from a corner at the feet of the Hornets' attackers, and Ake stabbed the ball away to the embarrassment of the Liverpool defence after only three minutes.
Eurosport shared the moment on social media:
Journalist Matt Murphy berated the stopper and highlighted why he has not displaced Mignolet as first choice:
Watford were soon two goals up, as Troy Deeney and Ighalo continued their fine partnership this season. The former wrestled the ball under his control in midfield and set his strike partner free through the middle.
Ighalo made no mistake with his strike, as he expertly finished from a difficult angle to make it 2-0.
The hosts took the lead into half-time as Liverpool lost Martin Skrtel to a leg injury. The centre-back had been given a torrid time by Deeney, who overpowered him on countless occasions as the Reds suffered.
OptaJoe highlighted why Liverpool have been inconsistent in recent weeks and how a full comeback looked unlikely:
Klopp's men were out early for the second half, but it was the Hornets who continued to look more dangerous in attack.
Ighalo had an excellent chance to wrap up the points shortly after the hour mark, but Bogdan kept his side in the match with a solid save, as the striker looked certain to convert.
Liverpool were certainly struggling technically as they tried to penetrate Watford, but the visitors were having little joy in the wide areas of the pitch.
Full-back Nathaniel Clyne came under criticism from sports writer Paul Tomkins, who questioned his service and ability:
"Clyne is so good at running, but so poor on the ball. Great *defensive* full-back, but overlaps end in waste
— Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) December 20, 2015"
Klopp rolled the dice in the final 20 minutes and threw on Christian Benteke into the battle, but the Reds looked disjointed and outclassed in periods.
The German manager cut a frustrated figure in the technical area as his team faltered.
Broadcaster Philippe Auclair spoke of disharmony in the Liverpool ranks, as the forward line failed to click:
Ighalo compounded Liverpool's misery late in the match, claiming his second to send the home crowd into rapture.
It was a sorry day at the office for Klopp and Co. as the final minutes played out, and they were well beaten by an effervescent Watford team led by two brilliant strikers.
The Reds defence had no answer to Deeney and Ighalo in full flight, while the Watford back four coped admirably with Liverpool's best attacking moments.
The 3-0 win was well-deserved, and it is back to the drawing board for Klopp and his team.
Post-Match Reaction
Klopp was despondent after the defeat and said he believed a foul should have been called for the opening Watford goal, but admitted his team were riddled with mistakes, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo:
Man of the Match Deeney was buoyant after the comprehensive victory, calling it the best win since Watford were promoted back to the top division, per the Premier League's official Twitter account:
Liverpool now face a difficult challenge in their next league match, as they host leaders Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day, while Watford travel to Chelsea after the arrival of Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge.
