One of the biggest upsets in recent Premier League history was recorded at Vicarage Road, with Watford defeating Liverpool 3-0. Yes, you read that right, the same Liverpool we all know, were defeated in the Premier League.
Naturally, in a surprise result such as this, there were some incredible stats and we’ve rounded them up for you.
1. The streak… is over
Starting with the obvious one, Liverpool’s defeat to Watford means their quest for an invincible season is over. But not only that, it was the first time they have tasted defeat in the league since January 2019, a run of 44 games.
That was not the only streak to fall, however. Liverpool also ended their winning run in the Premier League at 18, which was a record tied with Manchester City.
2. Watford first team to keep Liverpool out since March 2019
If you don’t concede, you don’t lose, as the slightly negative football mantra goes. But Watford will not care given they ended up with three points to go with their clean sheet.
Watford are the first side to prevent Liverpool from scoring in the Premier League this season, doing so at the 28th attempt. Extending the run, Liverpool had not failed to score since a goalless draw with Everton in March 2019, a run of 36 games.
3. Hornets keep Liverpool out
Key to Watford’s clean sheet was their resolute defence, which looked to starve Liverpool of chances – a tactic that clearly worked.
The Reds managed just two shots from inside the Watford after at Vicarage Road and seven in total.
4. Liverpool’s leaky defence
Some, more pessimistic, Liverpool supporters may have felt the defeat was coming. The Reds were slightly fortunate to beat West Ham last week, having to come from behind to win 3-2.
Their recent defensive frailties continued on Saturday as they let in another two – and then one more. It was the first time since December 2016 that Liverpool have conceded more than once in consecutive Premier League games, then losing 4-3 to Bournemouth before drawing 2-2 with West Ham.
5. Liverpool struggle to overturn two-goal deficit
Naturally most teams would struggle when going two goals down and for Liverpool it is no different.
Although Saturday was the first time since March 2018 that they went two goals behind – to Manchester United at Old Trafford – it was the ninth time in a row they had lost a game from that position.
6. Van Dijk’s heaviest league defeat since 2017
Although Virgil van Dijk has lost his fair share of games by 3-0 margins, in the Premier League they have been rare of late.
Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Watford was Van Dijk’s heaviest in the league since December 2017 when Southampton were beaten 4-1 at home by Leicester City – the Dutchman’s final appearance for the south coast club.
It was also only the second time he has lost by three goals at Liverpool, after the 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in last season’s Champions League final, though we all know what happened next.
7. Watford strike again
The 3-0 defeat to Watford on Saturday was not the first time Liverpool had lost by that scoreline in the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp. They have done so on one other occasion.
Back in December 2015, during Klopp’s first season Liverpool were handed a big 3-0 away defeat in the Premier League in what was a rough patch. The opponents that day? Watford.
8. Sarr enjoys Leap Day
Fans of “On This Day” memories will have to wait four years to relive this moment, but it is one Ismaila Sarr will never forget.
The Senegalese forward was excellent at Vicarage Road and was directly involved in all three of Watford’s goals, scoring two and setting up Troy Deeney for the third.
Sarr is the first player to be directly involved in three goals against Liverpool in a single Premier League games since Harry Kane did so in October 2017.
9. Heaviest top-flight defeat against relegation battler since 1985
This weekend has been a big one for shocks with 20th-placed Norwich City beating third-placed Leicester City on Friday before 19th-placed Watford’s win over league leaders Liverpool.
But to make Watford’s victory even more significant, it was the heaviest defeat by a English top-flight leader against an opponent in the relegation zone since Leicester beat Manchester United 3-0 in November 1985.
Arsenal thankful for Watford
'You're welcome!' - Watford send cheeky message to Arsenal after Liverpool win
Although Liverpool will still roll on to the Premier League title, they will have to do so without an invincible season. Also ending their unbeaten run at 44, it means Arsenal remain unopposed in the history books.
They are still the only side to finish a Premier League campaign without defeat, and their 50-game unbeaten run remains untouched. A highlight in what has been a disappointing season for the Gunners.
Why the Reds lost the game？
The team looked disjointed from start to finish
Liverpool struggled to string three passes together and there was a visible lack of the hunger and fight that has been their defining point, with even Jurgen Klopp devoid of his usual charisma and energy on the touchline.
His defence was in shambles, the midfield non-existent and upfront, Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane were on the peripheries, with their only shot on target coming through Andrew Robertson in the second half.
None of the players looked anywhere near the levels that they have performed at. While just one loss does not erase anything from what they have achieved, they have to rediscover their vibe ahead of a crunch Champions League fixture with Atletico Madrid.
Dejan Lovren's nightmarish performance
The Croatian international was not strong enough on Abdoulaye Doucore in the buildup to the opener, and was caught of position for the other two goals.
The 30-year-old man was far from alone, however, with the normally dependable Virgil Van Dijk also at fault for the first goal, alongside Andrew Robertson, while the second and third Watford goals also came about after lapses in concentration.
While Dejan Lovren might be the biggest scapegoat of this defeat, the bottom line is that Liverpool were simply not good enough defensively, and Watford were good value for their victory.
Ismaila Sarr was in inspired form
After a quiet first half, he roared to life at the restart, showing great instinct to evade the challenge of both Van Dijk and Robertson to score the opener, while he was also maintained his composure when played in through on goal to thump a finish past Alisson just six minutes later.
He wrapped up an impressive performance by setting Troy Deeney up for the winner, after bamboozling the Liverpool defence. He would have netted a well-deserved hat-trick in the 82nd minute, but dragged his shot narrowly wide before being substituted to a rapturous applause from the Watford faithful.
Nigel Pearson got his tactics spot on
The former Leicester manager borrowed 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, it has been coming
A lot has been made of the greatness of this Liverpool team and, despite this defeat, their status as one of the all-time great Premier League teams is guaranteed.
However, even before their defeat to Atletico, cracks had begun to show in Klopp's seemingly invincible army in recent weeks.
Liverpool managed to pick up wins in Wolves game thanks to Roberto Firmino's late strike and Norwich match for Sadio Mano winner, but, unlike each of those matches, there was simply not enough in the tank or individual brilliance to push them over the line against Watford.
The Reds have not been at their devastating best in recent weeks, and perhaps this defeat will act as the proverbial kick up the backside to help them rediscover the drive that made them re-write the record books.