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Odion Ighalo was on the mark twice as a buoyant Watford won 3-0 at home to Liverpool on Sunday to consolidate seventh position in the Premier League, only one point behind the top four.
It was a bad blow for Juergen Klopp's side, who would have overtaken them with a win but remained ninth, having taken only one point from three games.
Nathan Ake the Dutch Under-21 international on loan from Chelsea, scored in only the third minute after a howler from Hungarian goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, who was deputising for the injured Simon Mignolet.
BUT WHO WAS THE STAR MAN? RATINGS BELOW...
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.
2015 Liverpool FC
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.
2015 Liverpool FC
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.
2015 Liverpool FC
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.
2015 Liverpool FC
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.
2015 Liverpool FC
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.
2015 Liverpool FC
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.
2015 Liverpool FC
Bogdan was soon beaten again on an unhappy league debut when Watford captain Troy Deeney sent leading scorer Ighalo away to net for the fourth game in succession. The Nigerian made it 12 for the season five minutes from time.
Watford skipper Deeney felt it was their best win yet this season, and feels teams will now fear coming to Vicarage Road.
"Four wins now back to back is massive in the Premier League. It shows we've got a lot of confidence playing at our place and we showed no fear against any of the teams," he said.
"People are going to be worried to be coming here now, not just with us two (Deeney and Ighalo) but also with the crowd and the way the team's performing."
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