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As it happenedended

Watford vs Liverpool: Result and reaction from Premier League fixture

All the reaction from the extraordinary game at Vicarage Road

Michael Jones
Saturday 29 February 2020 20:30 GMT
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Ismaila Sarr celebrates scoring Watford's first goal
Ismaila Sarr celebrates scoring Watford's first goal (Getty Images)

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Liverpool's unbeaten run of success in this season's Premier League was ended in unfathomable fashion on Saturday as struggling Watford hammered the European champions 3-0 at their ecstatic Vicarage Road stadium.

Ismaila Sarr inspired the extraordinary upset, stunning Liverpool with two goals in six second-half minutes before he set up captain Troy Deeney with a third for the team who had started the day one from bottom, 55 points behind the runaway leaders.

Liverpool's first league defeat of the season meant the end of their hopes of going the whole league campaign as unbeaten as the new 'Invincibles' after 44 league matches without a defeat.

It also came on the evening when they were expected to surpass champions Manchester City by creating a new English top-flight record of 19 successive league victories.

The setback will doubtless not stop Juergen Klopp's men going on to lift their first English title for 30 years as they still remain 22 points ahead of their nearest pursuers, yet their season's aura of domestic invincibility has now been demolished.

Liverpool had previously dropped only two points in the league this season -- their draw at Manchester United in October -- but from the start, Watford attacked them with unexpected vigour.

Watford had looked the more likely to break the deadlock in the first half with Gerard Deulofeu proving Liverpool's main tormentor before he was taken off by stretcher with a knee injury.

Yet it was only when Sarr struck twice just before the hour mark and then turned provider for Deeney to shoot home a third that the 'mission impossible' became a reality.

How to watch

Which TV channel is it on?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, and HD channels.

Can I stream the game online?

Sky Sports subscribers can watch the game via the Sky Sports website and the Sky Go app.

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

39 mins: Liverpool haven't looked like their fluid selves today and their passing has been sloppy at times. Watford are making it hard work for the European champions. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:11

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

42 mins: Salah wins a corner after Alexander-Arnold is crunched by Troy Deeney. Robertson whips the ball into the box and Foster punches it away. 

Alexander-Arnold sends the ball back into the box with the outside of his right foot and Mane heads the ball wide as the offside flag is raised. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:13

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

45 mins: Sarr shoves off Fabinho and runs the ball into the box. He shoots as van Dijk comes across but isn't in control of the shot and it goes way over the bar.

The are five minutes added on at the end of the half to compensate for Deulofeu's injury. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:16

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

45+2 mins: Liverpool have only had one shot in this half showing how well Watford are playing. Can the home side keep it up? 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:17

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

45+5 mins: TA big save from Alisson denies Deeney. Hughes heads the ball into the box and Deeney breaks free of Lovren. Alisson chases the ball down but spills it and Deeney takes hold of the ball. He tries to chip it over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net but Alisson is quickly up from the floor and pushes the ball wide.

The whistle goes to end a first 45 minutes devoid of any creative genius from Liverpool. Watford have stuck steadfastly to their gameplan, defending in numbers and working the wings in attack. So far it's working for them. 

All square at the break. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:22

0-0 at half time at Vicarage Road. Watford have created the best chances of the game but what they've done really well is to deny Liverpool chances to get in on goal. 

If they keep that up they may just get something out of the game. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:31

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

Second half: Watford restart the game by booting the ball into Liverpool's half and giving it away to the visitors. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:37

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

48 mins: Save! A long ball through the middle goes ove Lovren and Pereyra picks it up. Sarr makes a run into the box and Pereyra lays the ball off to him. He shoots and Alisson palms the ball over the crossbar. 

The corner comes in for Watford but is cleared by Liverpool. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:39

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

51 mins: Liverpool put some prolonged pressure on Watford's back line with Masina sliding in to stop a pass making it's way to Oxlade-Chamberlain. Liverpool look a lot livelier with the ball. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:42

Watford 0 - 0 Liverpool

53 mins: Robertson makes a run into the box from the left and van Dijk finds him with a cutting pass into the box. He picks up the ball and drills it at Foster who makes the save. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:44

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