Watford 3 Liverpool 0: Jurgen Klopp's decision to play without a striker was baffling

ANALYSIS: A look at the star player, moment of the match and the view from the bench

Sunday 20 December 2015 17:05 GMT

Jurgen Klopp watches his Liverpool side at Watford (GETTY IMAGES)

STAR PLAYER

Odion Ighalo. The in-form striker had another impressive performance, troubling the Liverpool defence from the start. He opened the scoring in the 14th minute, latching onto a good through-ball from strike-partner Troy Deeney before showing good strength to hold off Martin Skrtel and then driving his shot into the far bottom corner of the net. The 26-year-old Nigerian continued to cause problems before sealing Watford's fourth successive Premier League victory - the first time they have achieved the feat in the top flight since 1987 - with a thumping close-range header late on.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Watford came out fired up - their fans put on a pre-match display of thanks to the Pozzo family for their continued ownership of the club - but in truth they did not need to do anything to get going. Adam Bogdan dropped the first corner, Nathan Ake put it in and that was that.

Odion Ighalo (GETTY IMAGES)

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Jurgen Klopp was forced into starting Bogdan with Mignolet injured but his decision to go without a striker was a baffling one. Only when Skrtel went off injured did he bring one on, but the damage was done by then. For Watford boss Flores, nothing is going wrong at the moment. His 4-4-2 is working a dream and he is making the most of the pace and power of his strikers.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

You could throw a blanket over the entire Liverpool team but in truth, their defensive performance was a shocker. From the moment Bogdan dropped the opening corner at Ake's feet to Ighalo's second it was a tale of woe.

Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Show all 22

1/22Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Watford: Heurelho Gomes 7 out of 10

Generally had little to do against Liverpool’s anaemic attack but stayed alert enough to tip over Jordan Henderson’s strike midway through the second half.

Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Allan Nyom 7 out of 10

Clashed with Alberto Moreno in the first half and had his work cut out dealing with the Liverpool man’s frequent bursts forward from left-back.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Miguel Britos 7 out of 10

Had little to do in the first half but at the start of the second, he made a crucial block to cut out Adam Lallana’s close-range volley.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Craig Cathcart 7 out of 10

Had to work harder in the second half against Divock Origi but he cannot have imagined he would have such a straightforward afternoon at the back.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Nathan Ake 7 out of 10

Quick reactions brought the Chelsea loanee the opening goal and he was often a threat going forward, though Gomes had to bail him out after a weak challenge on Jordan Henderson in the second half.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Almen Abdi 7 out of 10

He was busy throughout but would have been relieved to see Moreno shoot wide from close range when his poor positioning let in the Spaniard.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Ben Watson 7 out of 10

Forms a highly effective pairing with Capoue. His corner led to the first goal and he was intelligent with the ball, diligent without it.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Etienne Capoue 8 out of 10

Renewed since his time at Tottenham, the Frenchman was influential throughout in central midfield. He will have his sights on a place in France’s Euro 2016 squad.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Jose Manuel Jurado 7 out of 10

Extremely smart at drifting in from the left into good positions, he caused problems all afternoon and twice went close to scoring.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Odion Ighalo 9 out of 10

Showed strength to hold off Skrtel for his first goal, produced a superb finish and scored his second late on. The league’s elite will be watching this mobile, imaginative striker very closely.

Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Troy Deeney 8 out of 10

All muscle and hustle and he was too much for Liverpool to handle. The Reds’ centre-backs will not forget about him in a hurry.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Liverpool: Adam Bogdan 5 out of 10

Starting in place of the injured Simon Mignolet, Bogdan was at fault for Nathan Ake’s opener and though his display improved, the damage was done.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Nathaniel Clyne 6 out of 10

The least worst of the Liverpool back four but he still had a day to forget, though he was not always well protected when Jose Manuel Jurado and Ake attacked down Liverpool’s right.

Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Martin Skrtel 4 out of 10

Held off far too easily by Ighalo for Watford’s second goal and despite his height and strength, never looked comfortable against Watford’s direct style.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Mamadou Sakho 3 out of 10

Both Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo ran rings around him. You suspect that if Liverpool are to challenge for the title under Jurgen Klopp, they will need better defenders.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Alberto Moreno 5 out of 10

Always available going forward but desperately untidy in defence. Missed a great chance at the start of the second half.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Jordan Henderson 6 out of 10

Enjoyed himself more in the second half when Liverpool switched to a midfield diamond and he made some strong forward runs – but by then it was too late.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Lucas Leiva 5 out of 10

Started in the holding midfield role before dropping into central defence when Skrtel went off. He didn’t impress at either discipline.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Emre Can 5 out of 10

One of Liverpool’s better players this season, he had no answer to the energy of Ben Watson and Etienne Capoue. Played in front of the back four in the second half.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Adam Lallana 5 out of 10

Didn’t do enough in attack or defence. Started in a three-man attack before operating in a midfield diamond; he did little in either role.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Roberto Firmino 4 out of 10

Used as a ‘false’ nine, it was easy to forget the Brazilian was on the pitch. Indeed, his most noteworthy contribution was to leave it in the 74th minute.

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Watford 3 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Philippe Coutinho 5 out of 10

Coutinho was bright on occasions but for a player of his quality and reputation, he did not have enough of an influence on this game.

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WHO'S UP NEXT?

Chelsea v Watford (Premier League, Saturday, December 26)

Liverpool v Leicester (Premier League, Saturday, December 26)

PA

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