An injury to Georginio Wijnaldum gave Liverpool reason for concern as they earned a 2-0 win over the Premier League's bottom club, Watford.
Standings
Match Report
Liverpool made hard work of beating rock-bottom Watford 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday and also suffered another injury blow as Georginio Wijnaldum limped off ahead his side's Club World Cup trip.
A day on from manager Jurgen Klopp signing a contract extension to 2024, the runaway leaders were well below their brilliant best but nevertheless claimed victory through two goals from Mohamed Salah, the second coming in the 90th minute.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ismaila Sarr were guilty of horrible misses for Watford either side of Salah's first strike seven minutes before half-time and there were several other presentable chances for Watford in their first game under Nigel Pearson.
However, Liverpool - who also had a goal ruled out by VAR - ultimately did enough to claim victory and will now hope for a positive update on Wijnaldum as they prepare for a Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Match Events
24' CLOSE! Mane's shot wide out
Mane hooks the ball over his shoulder at goal cleverly from inside the box, but it's just a little high and wide of the target! That would have been a unique goal!
32' Van Dijk makes an important clearance
Van Dijk is forced to repel a couple of dangerous crosses from the lively Doucoure, who is playing as the most advanced of Watford's central midfielders today.
38' GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Watford (Salah)
Watford's corner following Doucore's chance is woeful and Firmino sends Mane on his way down the left, who feeds Salah into the box. The Egyptian cuts past Femenia before curling a lovely effort into the top corner past a stranded Foster on his right foot! It's 1-0 to Liverpool!
51' OFFSIDE! Mane's goal disallowed
Mane flicks an outstanding header beyond Foster after an excellent cross from Shaqiri on the left following the corner. The VAR check rules that Mane's arm is marginally offside and the goal is disallowed!
64' Kabasele's foul on Salah overlooked by ref
Sarr sprints into the box but he goes over very softly under pressure from Van Dijk and the referee waves away his appeals.
90' GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Watford (Salah)
The Egyptian nets his second after Mane's cutback is mis-hit by Origi, allowing Salah to backheel in at the near post! That should be that!
