Watford 0-3 Liverpool: Salah scores as TAA hits brilliant Gerrard-like free-kick

Salah & Firmino's goals lead Liverpool beat Watford as Alexander-Arnold hits brilliant Gerrard-like free-kick. But Henderson sends off, he will miss the Merseyside derby.

Match Report

Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino ensured Liverpool kept up with the searing pace set by Premier League leaders Manchester City by scoring in a 3-0 win at Watford.

Jurgen Klopp's side struggled to find a way through the Hornets defence for 66 minutes on Saturday, the Reds perhaps having an eye on Wednesday's pivotal Champions League game away to Paris Saint-Germain.

The hosts could have taken all three points, Gerard Deulofeu having an early goal ruled out for offside while a strong penalty appeal from Will Hughes was denied by the referee.

But Salah hit a first-time finish through the legs of goalkeeper Ben Foster, scoring his fourth goal in five Premier League games, before Alexander-Arnold's wonderful free-kick put the visitors in control.

Their win was marred, though, when captain Jordan Henderson was dismissed with eight minutes to go, meaning will be banned for next weekend's Merseyside derby, although Firmino added a late third.

Match Events

3' OFFSIDE! Deulofeu's goal disallowed

OPENING! Alisson tries to slide a pass into Firmino, but under pressure the Brazilian loses out to Deeney who quickly looks to slide in Deulofeu. The Spaniard fails to get the ball under control and Robertson is across well to cut out the danger. 

40' SAVE! Alisson denies Deulofeu's shot

CHANCE! Deulofeu finds plenty of space just outside the Liverpool penalty area before sliding the ball into Pereyra. His left-footed shot from the centre of the box is brilliantly saved to his left by Alisson.

42' CLOSE! Salah's header saved

CHANCE! Shaqiri clips the ball over Cathcart and into the path of Mane who is arriving towards the penalty spot. The attackers right-footed strike is straight at Foster who turns the ball behind for a corner. From the corner, Shaqiri finds Salah arriving late from the edge of the box, but his header into the bottom right corner of the net is superbly saved by Foster. Still 0-0.

67'GOAL! Watford 0-1 Liverpool (Salah)

GOAL! Salah gives Liverpool the lead! Firmino picks up the ball in the middle of the field and slides the ball down the left and into the path of Mane who delivers a low ball into the box. Salah is in the right place at the right time to turn the ball beyond Foster. 0-1.

76'GOAL! Watford 0-2 Liverpool (Alexander-Arnold)

GOAL! Wow! What a free-kick from Alexander-Arnold! His right-footed curling effort from 25 yards beats the wall and flies past Foster and into the top right corner of the net. 0-2.

82'Second Yellow Card! Henderson sent off

 RED! Henderson is shown a second yellow card for an unnecessary foul on Capoue as he looked to break down the left-hand side. It remains 0-2.

89'GOAL! Watford 0-3 Liverpool (Firmino)

GOAL! Firmino makes it three! Wijnaldum plays a beautiful pass down the left flank which Robertson is able to meet and continue to take down the left-hand side. Robertson pulls the ball back to Mane, and whilst his first-time shot is well saved, Firmino is on-hand to nod the ball into the net from a matter of yards. 0-3.

Line-ups

Watford XI: Ben Foster, Mariappa, Capoue, Deeney, Cathcart, K.Femenía, R.Pereyra, Deulofeu, Doucouré, Hughes, Masina

Subs: Heurelho Gomes, Kabasele, A.Gray, Chalobah, I.Success, M.Navarro, D.Quina

Liverpool XI: Wijnaldum, J. Henderson, D. Lovren, X. Shaqiri, Alisson, Roberto Firmino, Salah, Van Dijk, S. Mané, A.Robertson, T. Alexander-Arnold

Subs: Milner, Sturridge, S. Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Fabinho, N.Keita