Another match, another Liverpool win.\u00a0Liverpool beat Watford 2-0 to stay top of the Premier League table. The Reds needed two goals from winger Mohamed Salah to get a past a tougher than expected Hornets side.<\/p>\n
37.\u00a0That\u2019s the number of points separating Liverpool and Watford coming into this game; a Premier League record.<\/p>\n
A Liverpool win seemed inevitable. Yet, the contest between the two was not indicative of that gap.<\/p>\n
Indeed, Watford had the first clear chance of the match when midfielder Abdoulaye Doucour\u00e9 found himself alone in the box.<\/p>\n
The Frenchmen failed to properly connect with the ball on his shot and\u00a0the Hornets were made to pay for that miss.<\/p>\n
Liverpool had dominated possession up to that point but created very little at a windy Anfield.<\/p>\n
It took them 38 minutes to get a shot on target but, when that strike came, it was well worth the wait.<\/p>\n
Winger Sadio Mane played a lovely through ball to Salah; The Egyptian then steadied himself and released an incredible strike into the top corner of the Watford net.<\/p>\n
The Hornets then missed another clear chance to equalize before half time as winger Ismaila Sarr completely missed his kick with the goal at his mercy.<\/p>\n
The second half followed a similar pattern. Liverpool dominated the ball- finishing with 67 per cent possession – but Watford looked dangerous.<\/p>\n
Allison was forced to make a good save from winger Gerard Deulofeu and the former Barcelona man hit the post from a corner.<\/p>\n
The Hornets had eight shots to Liverpool\u2019s sixteen. The Reds were also denied a second goal by VAR. Mane seemed to have put the Reds 2-0 up with a brilliant header but was found to be centimetres offside.<\/p>\n
It took 90 minutes to make the points safe. Salah was the beneficiary of a mishit shot that he calmly backheeled through a defender\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n
Liverpool were not at their rampant best in this game, but they were good enough to beat Watford who are still languishing at the bottom of the Premier League table.<\/p>\n
Top of the Premier League table and through to the next round of the Champions League, it may seem like everything is perfect for Liverpool.<\/p>\n
But, once again, the injury bug has affected the Reds.<\/p>\n
This time, Georginio Wijnaldum couldn’t continue after pulling up with a muscle strain – this is bad news for the Reds as they are already without another key midfielder in Fabinho going into the busy Christmas period.<\/p>\n
Any long period without Wijnaldum would be devasting for the Reds as the Dutchman has been a key player this season.<\/p>\n
He has played nearly every Premier League minute and has a passing accuracy of 90 per cent.<\/p>\n
In addition, he makes nearly one interception per game and the Dutchman hasn\u2019t made a single defensive error this season.<\/p>\n
The Reds will feel his loss but, on the bright side, Salah is coming into form.<\/p>\n
The Egyptian has scored four goals in his last three games. This is ominous news for any of Liverpool\u2019s future opponents.<\/p>\n
As Liverpool win again in the Premier League, their focus will now turn to the Club World Cup which starts on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Reds have never claimed this competition, but they will be hoping that Salah\u2019s form continues and they can cement their place as World Champions for the first time.<\/p>\n
Main Photo<\/p>\n