Watford vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

The Reds face the Hornets in Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge to open this weekend’s Premier League action

(Getty)

With a deft touch, a roll of the ball with his studs, a dummy and then a sublime finish into the bottom corner, Mohamed Salah produced another goal-of-the-season contender to headline Liverpool’s 5-0 win at Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.

On a tough day for Claudio Ranieri in his first match as Watford manager, Salah delivered almost a replica of his stunning individual goal against Manchester City before the international break to show just why many are calling him the world’s best player on current form.

It also overshadowed a hat trick scored by Roberto Firmino.Salah’s 54th-minute solo goal started just inside the area where he was surrounded by three Watford players. Salah somehow managed to extricate himself out of the situation with marvellous footwork - including the foot-roll that was a feature of the goal against City - before cutting back onto his left foot and curling into the far corner.

The Egypt winger was mobbed by his teammates after his seventh league goal of the season. He has now scored in his last eight games for Liverpool in all competitions.Liverpool was already well clear by then after an eighth-minute opener by Sadio Mane — off Salah’s exquisite pass from off the outside of his left boot — and tap-ins either side of halftime by Firmino. The Brazil striker completed his hat trick with virtually the last kick of the game.

Mane become the 31st player to score 100 Premier League goals, and the third from Africa after Didier Drogba and Salah.Liverpool started the eighth round of games in second place, a point behind Chelsea.The 69-year-old Ranieri, who was hired last week as the replacement for Xisco Munoz, will be judged on games against weaker opponents than Liverpool but this was as one-sided a game as it.

Watford vs Liverpool

• GOAL! Watford 0-1 Liverpool - Mane breaks the deadlock after a sublime Salah pass
• GOAL! Watford 0-2 Liverpool - Firmino doubles the Reds’ lead, tapping in Milner’s square ball
• GOAL! Watford 0-3 Liverpool - Firmino grabs a brace to convert a rebound from Foster’s save
• GOAL! Watford 0-4 Liverpool - Salah hits wonder goal after mesmerising footwork inside box
• GOAL! Watford 0-5 Liverpool - Firmino stabs home from close range to complete hat-trick

[16 October 2021 10:48 · Jack Rathborn]

Watford vs Liverpool prediction

Watford looked flat during their draw to Newcastle and defeat to Leeds before the international break. By contrast, Liverpool played out a thrilling draw with Manchester City at Anfield. On form, you cannot see anything but a comfortable win for Klopp’s men. 3-0 Liverpool.

[15 October 2021 11:15 · Jack Rathborn]

Liverpool pair Alisson and Fabinho to miss Watford game and complete quarantine in Spain

Liverpool are sending Alisson Becker and Fabinho straight to Spain from international duty with Brazil to complete their Covid quarantine.

The pair were unlikely to feature against Watford in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off as their country’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay did not finish until the early hours of Friday.

However, rather than bring the players home Liverpool have opted to send them straight to Madrid where they face Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday, in order for them to complete their necessary 10 days’ quarantine so a return to England later next week will leave them free of any restrictions.