Watford 3-0 Liverpool: Shaky Reds' 44-game PL unbeaten run ends in shock defeat

Ismaila Sarr inspired Watford's incredible 3-0 win over Liverpool, who lost for the first time in 13 months.

Liverpool's 44-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an abrupt end with their first loss of the season in a 3-0 reverse at Watford on Saturday, Ismaila Sarr and Troy Deeney combining to down the Reds.

Watford's promising start looked as though it might go to waste when Gerard Deulofeu – their chief threat – was forced off with a potentially significant knee problem before half-time.

But the home side maintained their level after the interval and the lively Sarr was hugely effective with two goals, and Deeney finished them off 17 minutes from the end as Liverpool's hopes of an 'invincible' season were vanquished.

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Match Events

4' CLOSE! Deulofeu's shot wide out

Deulofeu whizzes towards the box from the left flank. The Spaniard cuts onto his right foot and has a pop from outside the box. His effort curls wide of the left-hand post.

10' OVER! Deulofeu's shot flies over the bar

Doucoure feeds Deulofeu, with Alexander-Arnold allowing the winger to check inside a little too easily. Deulofeu lets fly with his right foot from just inside the box. It whizzes just over the crossbar. Not far off.

26' NO PENALTY! Lovren's got his hands behind his back

Deulofeu jinks into the box from the left and blasts the ball against Lovren. The fans appeal for handball, but there's no chance of that - Lovren's got his hands behind his back.

32' Deulofeu may have twisted his knee on the fall

Van Dijk holds Deulofeu off, swatting him away on the edge of the box. It's not a foul but Deulofeu's leg buckles as he falls, leaving him in some difficulty. Not ideal for Watford. Deulofeu looks to be in some pain and will need to be stretchered off. He's been given oxygen. It's a sad end to the game for him.

41' Alexander-Arnold is caught late by a robust challenge from Deeney

Alexander-Arnold is caught late by a robust challenge from Deeney but play continues. Salah picks up possession and plays the ball off Cathcart for a Liverpool corner.

45' Deeney misses a golden chance!

Masina loops the free-kick in and Watford keep the pressure on. The ball falls to Deeney six yards out and Alisson is out to block the shot! Deeney tries to float the rebound into the far corner but it's just wide of the post. That's the closest either team has come to scoring this half.

54' GOAL! Watford 1-0 Liverpool (Sarr)

Sarr breaks the deadlock! Liverpool don't deal with a simple throw-in, letting it bounce in the box. Doucoure steals in behind Lovren to hook it across goal and Sarr stabs it in from a few yards out! It's no less than the hosts deserve.

60' GOAL! Watford 2-0 Liverpool (Sarr)

Sarr grabs his second! The Senegalese winger races onto a ball behind the Liverpool defence and coolly dinks it over Alisson. Liverpool are right up against it!

66' CLOSE! Lallana's shot hits the post

The England man has a go with his left foot as the ball drops to him outside the box. It's a dipping volley that has Foster scrambling across his goal and it just clips the outside of the woodwork! Watford survive.

72' GOAL! Watford 3-0 Liverpool (Deeney)

Deeney grabs the goal that surely secures a Watford win! Sarr draws Alisson out of his goal and passes back to Deeney, who floats it into the net from the left of the box!

82' SO CLOSE! Sarr's shot wide out

Sarr misses his chance to get a famous hat-trick! Capoue finds Sarr with a sliderule pass behind Liverpool's defence. Sarr races onto it - he's one-on-one with Alisson, but fires just wide to the right! What a moment that would have been for him.

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