Publications
Partners
Watford - Emre Can scored a sensational overhead bicycle
kick as Liverpool galvanised their grip on third place in the Premier League by
winning 1-0 at Watford on Monday.
Having seen top-four rivals Manchester City, Manchester
United and Arsenal all drop points on Sunday, Liverpool capitalised thanks to
Can's jaw-dropping effort in first-half injury time.
The Germany midfielder's fifth goal of the season took
Liverpool three points above fourth-place City, albeit having played a game
more, inching Jurgen Klopp's side closer to Champions League qualification.
"The goal was spectacular, of course," Liverpool
manager Klopp told Sky Sports.
"It was clear we have to work and that is what we did. It won't be easy for anyone to win here.
"We needed a bit of luck, but we worked hard for
it."
It was Liverpool's third successive away win and got them
back on track after a 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace on their previous
outing had ended a seven-game unbeaten streak.
The only disappointment for the men in red at Vicarage Road
was the early departure of playmaker Philippe Coutinho with what Klopp
confirmed was a dead leg.
Walter Mazzarri's Watford remain 13th, having been denied a
last-gasp equaliser when centre-back Sebastian Prodl's crisp effort thudded
against the crossbar.
"We didn't deserve to lose," said Mazzarri.
"Their wonder goal means nothing is going on our side
because the first real chance they had, and it wasn't really a chance, they
took it."
M'Baye Niang registered an early shot on target for the
hosts, but a sleepy start to the game was remarkable more for injuries than
penalty-box action.
Coutinho came off second-best in an early collision with
recalled Watford defender Adrian Mariappa.
The Brazil international soldiered on until the 13th minute
before giving way for Adam Lallana, who came on to make his first appearance
after a month out with a groin injury.
Six minutes later Watford were forced into a change of their
own when defender Miguel Britos signalled that he was unable to continue, which
brought Christian Kabasele into the fray.
Liverpool went close with a couple of efforts from distance,
Can extending Heurelho Gomes from range and Lallana rattling the bar with a
stunning 20-yard volley after Gomes had punched clear.
The visitors were toiling, their lack of ideas exposed when
Lucas Leiva received a 44th-minute booking for a totally unconvincing attempt
to win a penalty off Tom Cleverley.
But two minutes into stoppage time Liverpool went ahead with
a Goal of the Season contender.
Lucas flighted a pass into the box and with Nordin Amrabat
standing off, Can launched himself into a magnificent scissors kick from 15
yards out that catapulted the ball into the top-left corner.
"That is the best goal I've ever scored," Can
said.
Buoyed by the German's moment of brilliance, Liverpool set
about putting the game to bed in the second half.
Gomes had to box away a James Milner free-kick and twice
saved from Divock Origi, palming away a curling effort and then standing up
well to thwart the Belgian striker in a one-on-one.
It took Watford until the 68th minute to register another
shot on target.
Etienne Capoue's rising effort from distance was tipped over
by Simon Mignolet, only for the officials to award a goal-kick, sparking a
furious Watford reaction that saw Capoue booked for dissent.
The introduction of 21-year-old Nigerian Isaac Success gave
Watford some attacking fizz and Daryl Janmaat almost caught Mignolet out with a
curling effort from wide on the left.
Liverpool might have won more comfortably had Gomes not saved from Joel Matip and substitute Daniel Sturridge, but they were indebted to the woodwork for foiling Prodl at the death.
