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Liverpool take on Watford as the Premier League returns after the international break, with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking for the top of the table.
A win would put Liverpool, at least temporarily, above Manchester City, who will play at Burnley later this afternoon.
It is also an important game for Watford, who are led by a former Liverpool boss in Roy Hodgson. The Hornets are currently in the relegation zone and are in desperate need of points.
Liverpool are aiming to win their 10th consecutive league game in their quest to recapture the title, with hopes of winning the quadruple still alive.
Sporting News follows the match live and provides live updates and commentary below.
MORE: Liverpool’s quadruple quest in 2021-22
Liverpool vs. Watford live scores
| 1H | 2H | Last | |
| Liverpool | 1 | † | † |
| Watford | 0 | † | † |
goals: Jota – LIV – 22 min
Live Updates Liverpool vs. Watford
(All times East)
65 minutes: Fabinho plays a neat pass towards Salah, whose bet goes just over. Salah is expected to be replaced soon, with Sadio Mane poised to do battle. Watford is very deep and Liverpool have a lot of possession.
61 minutes: Jota misses another head chance. Liverpool then make their first change of game as Fabinho replaces Curtis Jones.
58 minutes: Jürgen Klopp’s team wants to extend the lead and Van Dijk comes from a corner, but his header goes over. Watford then misses an excellent opportunity, with Sarr playing in Joao Pedro, who drags his bet wide.
Hernandez is later shown a yellow card for a foul on Gomez. From the resulting free kick, Henderson sends the ball to Jota, whose header goes wide.
46 minutes: Liverpool start the second half on the front foot and Gomez sends in another cross, with Kabasele making an excellent header to prevent the ball from falling to Robertson, who was offside.
Peace: Liverpool are in the lead at halftime, with Diogo Jota scoring. Watford has given Jurgen Klopp’s side a hard time at times, but as things stand, Liverpool will be at the top of the table.
45 minutes: Joe Gomez is shown a yellow card for knocking down Joao Pedro.
42 minutes: Henderson tries to find Jota, but can’t quite find his teammate. Liverpool weren’t quite at their best in the first half but the most important thing from their perspective is that they are up front with half time approaching.
35 minutes: Watford deserves credit for continuing to display an impressive spirit despite being behind. Liverpool have certainly had things their own way and Kamara are working hard to keep Salah from making a big impact. Foster then makes a good save to thwart Jota.
28 minutes: Robertson goes down in the area after a challenge from Sissoko, but the Watford captain managed to get the ball clearly. After the ensuing corner, Cucho Hernandez needs care after a headbutt.
22 min: OBJECTIVE – Liverpool 1-0 Watford: Despite that pressure from Watford, it is Liverpool who take the lead. Joe Gomez sends in an excellent cross and Jota heads in to put his side up front.
21 minutes: Watford posed a threat in the counterattack and Alisson springs into action as he makes a save to deny Kucka.
17 minutes: The game continues in much the same pattern, with Liverpool holding the ball for a long time, but they haven’t caused too much trouble for Watford so far and they need to play at a faster pace. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was annoyed at being caught by Hernandez.
12 minutes: Cucho Hernandez has saved a header from a corner, while Watford appears to be putting pressure on Liverpool. The Hornets will be encouraged with their start of the game.
8 minutes: Thiago started the game positively and finds Curtis Jones with an excellent pass, but the commitment of the youngsters lacked conviction. Jones later cleared a cross by Femenia.
5 minutes: Liverpool control possession in the early stages at Anfield, but they must be patient to break Watford. Watford then creates a chance himself, with the ball falling to Sarr, whose bet goes over.
1 minute: Andy Robertson swings into a corner, the ball falls for Mohamed Salah, but the winger can’t hit the ball well and his bet goes wide.
7:27 am: The teams are on the field and kick-off is fast approaching at Anfield, leading up to the final installment in the title race. Will Jurgen Klopp’s side top the table or will Watford deliver a surprise?
7:10 am: Roy Hodgson will be fully aware that Watford will have to inflict a major shock if they are to prevail today, but at the same time another defeat would be a huge blow to the Hornets. If they lose, they would be three points behind Everton 17th after having played three more games.
6:50 am: This is a big game for Joe Gomez, who has not been very involved in the Premier League for Liverpool this season, making just five appearances. It looks like Gomez will be right-back today as Alexander-Arnold is alone on the bench.
6:32 am: Trent Alexander-Arnold is on the Liverpool bench after recovering from injury, while Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz are also named among the substitutes. Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones all start as Liverpool make four changes from their last Premier League game.
As far as Watford is concerned, Ismaila Sarr is available again after an injury and will start in the place of Emmanuel Dennis.
6.30 in the morning: Team news
𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔴
Your Reds lineup against Watford!#LIVWAT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) Apr 2, 2022
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Sarr returns for the Hornets in our only change from last time in the @Eredivisie†#LIVWAT pic.twitter.com/j1MrGxlZrr
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) Apr 2, 2022
6:15 a.m.: Liverpool have won 12 of their last 13 league games at home to Watford and they will be hopeful of another win. Jürgen Klopp’s side won 5-0 when these teams met earlier in the season at Vicarage Road, but they won’t take anything for granted as
6:00 am: Welcome to Sporting News’ live coverage of Liverpool vs. Watford. We are 30 minutes away from confirmed lineups.
As we head into the business end of the season, Liverpool will be determined to continue their hugely impressive recent Premier League form as they try to increase the pressure on reigning champions Manchester City in what is an intriguing title race.
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