On Saturday Watford came to the rescue of every football fan in the country by ending Liverpool’s unbeaten run with a 3-0 win!
When it comes to who is going to win the league, there is no debating it will be Liverpool. They are currently 19 points clear at the top of the table and no one is going to stop them. One thing a team could stop though is their unbeaten record.
With just 11 games to go, it looked like Liverpool would record another routine win against Watford as they were priced at 1/6. Liverpool has blown teams away all season, dropping just two points with a draw to Man United. They were closing in on Arsenals record of going a whole Premier League season unbeaten.
Klopp fielded his strongest possible 11 for the game, with Henderson and Gomez missing out due to injury. This wasn’t going to be an easy game for Liverpool. Watford are fighting for survival and only two sides in the top half have won there this season.
In Liverpool’s favour though, Watford hadn’t won in five games. They had been beaten three-time and drawn twice. When the two sides met at Anfield, Liverpool won 2-0.
Liverpool finally beaten
The first half was closer one than expected. Liverpool struggled to break down an organised Watford, who’s plan was to hit Liverpool on the break with the hosts coming closest to scoring. Alisson could keep hold of the ball as it fell to Deeney next to the penalty spot. His first-time effort though was saved by the Brazillian keeper and then Deeney tried to lift it over him on the rebound but the shot ended up going just wide.
In the second half though it was like roles reversed, with Watford taking it to Liverpool. In the 54th minute, Liverpool failed to clear a simple throw-in and it fell to Doucoure. He fired it across the box and Sarr beat Robertson to it at the front post to go 1-0.
It went from bad to worse six minutes later when Sarr got his second of the game. A good bit of play on the touchline and the ball was played through to Sarr. He broke away with ease from Van Dijk and finished it off brilliantly, chipping the ball over Alisson.
Even at 2-0 though, you still felt Liverpool could get a draw. But on the 72nd minute, Deeney put the game, and Liverpool’s invincible hopes, to bed. A poor pass back from Alexander-Arnold saw Sarr on the ball again. Alisson was off his line and Sarr set up Deeney to place it over the head of Van Dijk and into the net.
Records that fell away
If Liverpool had won this game, they would have set a new Premier League record for 19 consecutive wins. They are now tied on 18 with Man City. Obviously winning the league is a big enough achievement on its own, but doing it unbeaten is something special. Liverpool would have loved to of joined Arsenal with that record, but it wasn’t meant to be.
They were also going after Arsenals record of unbeaten games. They went 49 Premier Leauge games unbeaten and Liverpool were currently on 44 games.
Klopp’s side now just need to win four more games until they win the league. Due to them still being in the FA Cup this could be away at Man City if they aren’t in the FA Cup or will be against Aston Villa the week after.
Until then, Liverpool have a Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side are the favourites to go through on Betway at 17/20 with Liverpool priced at 10/11. Liverpool are priced at 13/2 to win the Champions League.
