Liverpool 2-0 Watford
by James Nalton
at Anfield

LIVERPOOL spent a brief moment at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon following a 2-0 win against Watford in the weekend’s early kick-off.

But by the time Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had completed his interview duties with the broadcasters and made his way to the post-match press conference with the written media, Manchester City had taken the lead against Burnley and Liverpool were back in second.

“So City killed one of your questions already, eh?” Klopp quipped to the gathered media as he took his seat, a beaming smile on his face.

The German was happy his side had emerged with three points in a game they made hard work of, albeit against a well-organised Watford team.

Diogo Jota’s early goal, headed home superbly from Joe Gomez’s cross, settled Anfield somewhat but didn’t really settle the team who snatched at chances and struggled to break down Watford’s defence.

The welcome second came courtesy of a penalty kick after Jota was hauled down in the box by Juraj Kucka as a corner came in.

By that time regular penalty taker Mohamed Salah had been subbed off, so it was down to midfielder Fabinho to make sure of the win.

The Brazilian dispatched the penalty in front of the Kop, taking his career spot-kick record to 25 taken, 24 scored, having been a regular taker at his previous club, Monaco.

Liverpool’s next league game is the biggest game of the season, against leaders Man City.

“To keep it a title race we have to win our football games, otherwise it will be really tricky,” said Klopp.

“The next Premier League game, obviously, is a big one, we do not hide from that. It’s all good.

“But now we have a Champions League game [at Benfica] to play, which is as important, and three days’ time to prepare that. Then we go from there.”