Watford 3-0 Liverpool: 5 reasons why the Reds lost the game | Premier League 2019-20 

#2 Nigel Pearson got his tactics spot on

Nigel Pearson borrowed a leaf from Diego Simeone

Watford have had a disastrous season that has seen them change managers three times already. Having started brightly upon the appointment of Nigel Pearson in December, however results have once more gone against them in recent weeks.

They started with a high press last week against Manchester United and got blown away, with Will Hughes guilty of exuberance but learning from his mistakes, the former Leicester manager got back to basics, borrowing a leaf from Diego Simeone and instructed his side to defend deep and limit the space afforded the opposing he full-backs.

This worked to perfection, and Liverpool were able to play a high line right up to the 60-metre mark before being congested by a five-man midfield, even after Watford lost their most creative spark to injury in the first half.

As Atletico Madrid showed in the Champions League, Klopp's side lack the creativity to slice open two deep blocks though the middle, and if their next outlet - the wings - is nullified, they would be there for the taking.

In all honesty, the hosts were aided by a lacklustre Liverpool performance and if the visitors had brought their A-game, there is not much Pearson or any of the players could have done. The manager deserves praise for sticking to his game plan, and exploiting a rare off-day by Jurgen Klopp's side.