Liverpool welcomed Watford at Anfield earlier today as they looked to earn all three points at home. The Reds made a solid start to the game and got their noses ahead in the 22nd minute courtesy of Diogo Jota’s excellent header from close range. The Merseyside outfit went into the half-time break with a narrow 1-0 lead.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had to work hard to maintain their control over the game and finally managed to kill the game off in the 89th minute via Fabinho’s well-executed penalty. The contest ended with the Reds securing a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Merseyside.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against the Hornets.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7/10
The Brazilian keeper had to make a couple of solid saves at the back and secured an important clean sheet today.
RB: Joe Gomez – 7.5/10
Gomez gave away the ball a couple of times but was defensively solid throughout the game. He picked up an assist for setting up Jota’s opener with a great cross in the first half.
CB: Joel Matip – 7/10
The Cameroon international maintained a solid defensive shape inside his half and did enough to restrict the opposition from scoring a goal.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7/10
Van Dijk organised his backline quite well when the Hornets were on the front foot. He dealt with the danger when needed and earned an easy clean sheet at home.
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LB: Andrew Robertson – 7/10
The Scottish full-back was always looking to get forward but lacked the cutting edge inside the opponent’s penalty area.
CM: Curtis Jones – 6/10
Jones was a bit selfish at times with his decision-making in the final third. He was mostly ineffective and was replaced in the second half.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 6.5/10
The Liverpool captain retained possession quite well and didn’t shy away from pressing the opposition at every chance he got.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – 8/10
The Spaniard ran the show at the centre of the park. He was quite accurate with his passing and created some meaningful openings for his teammates with his excellent vision.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 6.5/10
Salah caused a few problems for the opposition out on the flanks but looked tired and got substituted in the second half.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 7/10
He linked up play well with others around him as usual but failed to threaten the opposition goal.
LW: Diogo Jota – 8/10
The Portuguese striker showed his poacher’s instincts and scored the opening goal with a fine header. He worked his socks off at both ends of the field as well.
Substitutes:
CM: Fabinho – 7/10
The Brazilian midfielder kept his calm to slot the ball home from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.
LW: Sadio Mane – 6/10
Mane offered very little in the attacking third of the field.
CM: James Milner – N/A
He didn’t have enough time to make an impact.
