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A couple of days after the club announced that Jurgen Klopp had renewed his contract with the club, Liverpool saw off 20th placed Watford at Anfield to secure another 3 points.
The game started off a bit dull, as the home team looked disjointed and Watford set up well enough to not give the home team any clear cut chances. The team could not break through for a while, but a lovely assist from Sadio Mane saw Mohamed Salah finish with his weak foot over Ben Foster who could do nothing about the goal.
Watford did not go away, and they had their own chances but the team simply could not convert anything as Alisson Becker was widely left untroubled. Divock Origi's scuffed shot set up Salah again in stoppage time for a simple backheel goal as the game ended 2-0, with the Premier League leaders now winning 16 of their 17 games in England this season.
Here, we take a look at the hits and flops in this game.
#5 Hit - Sadio Mane
It was yet another great performance from Sadio Mane as the Sengalese international provided the assist for Salah's first goal. He was unlucky to not get a goal for himself, as his finish was ruled offisde by the tightest of margins thanks to VAR.
The winger was very lively today, and got into the game well after a slow start. The Watford defence could not keep up with the agile forward for the entirety of the game, and he was heavily involved in creating the second goal for his team. He had one shot on target, won four aerial duels and completed two dribbles throughout the game.
Mane will be hoping to continue his form in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup now.
#4 Flop - Etienne Capoue
Etienne Capoue started the game well, but Liverpool's midfield and attack proved too much for the French international throughout the game. Watford's struggles this season have been existent partially due to the bad form of Capoue, and in the second half, you could see the midfielder struggle to break plays and find the correct passes.
Capoue completed less than 70% of his passes and had just over 50 touches of the ball. His decision making could have been better today, and he let the likes of Jordan Henderson go ahead of him quite easily at times. Overall, a game to forget for the veteran.
#3 Hit - Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk's brilliance has become a consistent part of Anfield nowadays. Despite facing the 20th placed team today, Van Dijk had a lot of defending to do against the Hornets.
The massive centre-back won all 3 of his aerial duels, intercepted the ball once and cleared it three times from a dangerous position. The Dutchman was his usual commanding self as he directed traffic at the back and his excellent positioning meant that that the Watford forwards could barely get the better of him.
Van Dijk barely broke a sweat throughout the game despite the visitors threatening on two occasions, and he was the best defender for Liverpool as they kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.
#2 Flop - Abdoulaye Doucoure
This game could have had a very different outcome had Watford finished two amazing chances which they created for themselves - Abdoulaye Doucoure was at the end of the better one of those and he messed up badly.
Finding the ball in a good position in front of the goal, Doucoure could (and should) have finished past Alisson, but his shot was wayward and the ball did not even hit the target. The player's control was bad, and despite completing two dribbles, his final output in front of the goal left much to be desired. If Watford is to escape from their slump, they need their players to step up, and Doucoure is one of those who really need to up their game.
#1 Hit - Mohamed Salah
It was Mohamed Salah's goal which broke the deadlock at Anfield, and it could not have come in a better way. Creating space for himself inside the box after a well-weighted pass by Mane, the Egyptian King finished over a helpless Ben Foster with his weaker foot and gave his side the lead.
Salah looked lively throughout the game and he was the home team's main attacking threat as they extended their unbeaten run at the top. He was crafty and agile, and his positioning in the box lead to an easy second goal which sealed the game for Liverpool.
Heading into the busiest part of the season, Jurgen Klopp will be a happy man to see his forward getting back to his best.
