A Mohamed Salah brace saw Liverpool notch another valuable three points in the Premier League with a 2-0 win against Watford.
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Liverpool 2-0 Watford
Premier League, Anfield
December 14, 2019
Goals: Salah 38′, 90′
The Reds returned to domestic action off the back of their Champions League win at Salzburg, with Jurgen Klopp making three changes as he continued to opt for fresh legs within a relentless schedule.
Watford, meanwhile, were under the tutelage of Nigel Pearson for the first time and were looking to notch just their second win of the campaign.
The first half took a while to get going, with Liverpool struggling to find their rhythm and clinical edge – that was until Mohamed Salah stepped up to the plate.
The Egyptian capitalised on a brilliant counter-attack to curl a stunning effort into the top corner to hand Liverpool a narrow lead before the interval.
The second 45 was significantly more nerve-racking than the first as Watford continued to ask questions of Liverpool’s back-line after a series of miskicks in the first saved the Reds’ blushes.
The Hornets proved a frustrating side to break down and as the minutes ticked by Anfield and all those inside saw the tension rise.
Sadio Mane had appeared to have established a two-goal buffer with a brilliant headed effort, but it was ruled out by VAR to ensure the three points were delicately placed.
But Salah was again the man to rise to the top with a cheeky flick at the back post at the death to put the result beyond doubt – it’s the Reds’ 16th win in 17 Premier League games this season.
