da dobrowin： Liverpool were well beaten, played off the park almost, by a hugely impressive Watford side 3-0 earlier today at Vicarage Road. The Hornets were dynamic and determined as Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney ran the Reds ragged.
da cassino： Adam Bogdan’s howler led to an early goal for the home side, though it was scored in controversial fashion as Nathan Ake appeared to kick the ball out of his hands. That set the tone for the whole game it seems, with the Reds’ backline constantly looking nervous.
The decision to start without a natural striker certainly paid off against Manchester City as Klopp’s side steamrolled their opposition, but today showed the danger of not having a focal point up front.
In stark comparison to the likes of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho were largely anonymous and unable to mount any serious attacks.
It appears Jurgen Klopp has far more of a project than we may have thought when he initially arrived, though it is important not to take anything away from Watford, who were excellent.
Here are FIVE things we learned as a damp Liverpool were swept aside by Watford.
LIVERPOOL NEED A STRIKER
The Reds only ever really looked like threatening when Divock Origi was introduced for Martin Skrtel. The Belgian at least made a nuisance of himself in the final third, getting the run on the Watford backline on occasion.
The ‘False 9’ may work against teams who afford you space, but the breakneck speed of the Hornets pressing play prevented any passages of play in their final third amounting to anything.
REDS DEFENCE A JOKE
Some leeway may be afforded to Mamadou Sakho due to the fact he was returning from six games out, but the whole backline looked shaky today. Martin Skrtel’s weak attempt to clear the ball led to the second goal, merely pushing the ball into Ighalo’s path rather than an actual clearance.
They looked nervous and ready to crumble whenever Watford pushed through, with only Nathaniel Clyne doing himself a remote amount of justice today.
WATFORD HAVE THE REAL DEAL
It’s time to wax lyrical about the strike duo at Vicarage Road. Odion Ighalo could have had a hat-trick this afternoon, his pace and power were in full show. The Nigerian linked well, as always, with Troy Deeney who is showing more and more what a good footballer he is with each passing game.
The club captain is a wonderful hybrid of a Number 9/10, able to drop deep to tee up his teammate or lead the line to create space for him.
‘KEEPER CRISIS DEEP ROOTED
Simon Mignolet is often lambasted for his blunders, with many people believing he is not of a required standard to play for the Merseyside giants. However, the Belgian is without doubt the best netminder the club have.
Adam Bogdan was horrendous today, granted you could argue the opener was as a result of a foul, though the former Bolton man looked as if he would crumble at any given opportunity.
BENTEKE DOESN’T FIT
Christian Benteke is clearly an excellent forward, but the £32m man has failed to wholly convince Klopp he is able to lead the line. Against a physical team like Watford, perhaps the former Villa man would have been the best option in order to create a focal point up front.
Instead, the German tactician opted to deploy a frontline to play their way through the well organised hosts, which proved largely ineffective. Very little did the trio of Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho threaten from the start, though the towering Belgian was left on the bench until late on in the game.