Liverpool vs. Watford result: Jota and Fabinho send Liverpool top of Premier League

Jeorge Bird
• 8 min read

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at home to Watford. 

A header from Diogo Jota put Liverpool in the lead and a late penalty from substitute Fabinho wrapped up the victory for Jurgen Klopp's side. 

The result means that Liverpool are two points clear of Manchester City, who are in action against Burnley later on Saturday.

Liverpool didn't have matters all their own way, with Watford putting in a spirited performance and defending well at times, but the class of the home side eventually made the difference.

Jota headed in following a cross from Joe Gomez as Liverpool took the lead in the 22nd minute.

MORE: Liverpool's quadruple quest in 2021-22

Victory was effectively secured in the 88th minute, with Liverpool being awarded a penalty after Jan Kucka was penalised for hauling down Jota in the area. Fabinho stepped up to emphatically convert the penalty. 

Sadio Mane featured as a substitute as he replaced Mohamed Salah, who wasn't at his sharpest. 

Watford remain in the relegation zone and are three points adrift of Everton, who have three games in hand. 

Jurgen_Klopp_Liverpool_2021-22.jpg

Liverpool vs. Watford final score

  1H 2H Final
Liverpool 1 2 2
Watford 0 0 0

Goals: Jota (22), Fabinho (88)

Liverpool vs. Watford live updates

(All times Eastern)

Full time: Liverpool beat Watford 2-0 courtesy of Jota's header and a penalty from Fabinho, with the result sending Klopp's side top of the Premier League. It wasn't a vintage performance from Liverpool and Watford worked extremely hard, but it could be an important result for the Reds.

Liverpool are two points ahead of Manchester City, who face Burnley away this afternoon.

90 mins: Ben Foster does well to come off his line and gather the ball as Mane attempts to inflict further damage on Watford.

88 mins: GOAL - Liverpool 2-0 Watford (Fabinho) Fabinho emphatically converts the penalty, which surely means Liverpool will be heading to the top of the Premier League. 

James Milner replaces Thiago in Liverpool's final change. 

87 mins: PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL Kucka pulls down Jota in the box, with VAR assessing the incident and a penalty being given to Liverpool. 

82 mins: Jurgen Klopp looks a little concerned, with victory still not secure for his side. Watford have battled well and have made sure that this hasn't been an easy task for Liverpool. 

76 mins: Watford make a triple substitution as Cleverley, King and Dennis come on for Louza, Pedro and Hernandez.

73 mins: Jota looks to play in Mane, but Kamara is there to intervene. Liverpool are looking for the second goal which would effectively secure victory and send them top of the table. 

65 mins: Fabinho plays a neat pass in towards Salah, whose effort goes just over. It's expected that Salah will be replaced soon, with Sadio Mane poised to enter the fray. Watford are sitting very deep, with Liverpool having a lot of possession.

61 mins: Jota misses another headed chance. Liverpool then make their first change of the game as Fabinho comes on for Curtis Jones.

58 mins: Jurgen Klopp's side are looking to add to their lead and Van Dijk rises to meet a corner, but his header goes over. Watford then miss an excellent chance, with Sarr playing in Joao Pedro, who drags his effort wide. 

Hernandez is later booked for a foul on Gomez. From the resultant free-kick Henderson sends the ball in towards Jota, whose header is off target. 

46 mins: 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. 

Half time: Liverpool have the lead at the break, with Diogo Jota scoring. Watford have made it difficult for Jurgen Klopp's team at times, but as things stand Liverpool will be going top of the league.

45 mins: Joe Gomez gets a yellow card for bringing down Joao Pedro. 

42 mins: Henderson attempts to find Jota but can't quite locate his team-mate. Liverpool haven't quite been at their free-flowing best in the first half but the most important thing from their perspective is that they're in front with half time approaching. 

35 mins: Watford deserve credit for continuing to show impressive spirit despite going behind. Liverpool certainly have had things their own way and Kamara is working hard as he looks to stop Salah from making a major impact. Foster then makes a good save to thwart Jota. 

28 mins: Robertson goes down in the area following a challenge from Sissoko, but the Watford captain clearly managed to  get the ball. Following the subsequent corner Cucho Hernandez requires treatment following a clash of heads.

22 mins: GOAL - Liverpool 1-0 Watford: Despite that pressure from Watford, it's Liverpool who take the lead. Joe Gomez sends in an excellent cross and Jota heads in to put his side in front. 

21 mins: Watford have posed a threat on the counter-attack and Alisson is pressed into action as he makes a save to deny Kucka.  

17 mins: The game is continuing in much the same pattern, with Liverpool keeping the ball for long spells, but they haven't caused too many problems for Watford so far and they need to play at a quicker tempo. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was annoyed at being caught by Hernandez.

12 mins: Cucho Hernandez has a header saved following a corner as Watford look to put pressure on Liverpool. The Hornets will be encouraged with their start to the game. 

8 mins: Thiago has started the game in positive fashion and he finds Curtis Jones with an excellent pass, but the youngsters' effort lacked conviction. Jones later has a cross cleared away by Femenia. 

5 mins: Liverpool are controlling possession in the early stages at Anfield but they're having to be patient as they look to break Watford down. Watford then create a chance themselves, with the ball falling to Sarr, whose effort goes over. 

1 min: Andy Robertson swings in a corner, the ball falls for Mohamed Salah, but the winger can't connect with the ball properly and his effort goes wide. 

7:27am: The teams are out on pitch, with kick-off rapidly approaching at Anfield ahead of the latest instalment in the title race. Will Jurgen Klopp's side go top of the table or will Watford spring a surprise?

7:10am: Roy Hodgson will be fully aware that Watford will have to cause a major upset if they are to prevail today, but at the same time another defeat would be a huge blow for the Hornets. If they lose it would leave them three points behind 17th placed Everton having played three games more. 

6:50am: This is a big game for Joe Gomez, who hasn't been heavily involved in the Premier League for Liverpool this season, making just five appearances. It looks as if Gomez will be at right-back today as Alexander-Arnold is only on the bench.

6:32am: Trent Alexander-Arnold is on the bench for Liverpool after recovering from injury, while Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz are also named amongst 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 as concerned, Ismaila Sarr is back available after injury and starts in place of Emmanuel Dennis. 

6:30am: Team news

6:15am: Liverpool have won 12 of their last 13 home league matches against Watford and they will be hopeful of another victory. Jurgen Klopp's side ran out 5-0 winners when these sides met at Vicarage Road earlier in the season, but they won't be taking anything for granted as 

6:00am: Welcome to Sporting News' live coverage of Liverpool vs. Watford. We're 30 minutes away from confirmed lineups. 

As we enter the business end of the season, Liverpool will be determined to continue their hugely impressive recent Premier League form as they look to increase the pressure on reigning champions Manchester City in what is an intriguing title race. 

Author(s)
Jeorge Bird
soccer
Liverpool (Premier League)
Watford
premier-league
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