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As it happenedended1583008789

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)

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.

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Watford 1 - 0 Liverpool - Sarr

54 mins: GOAL! Watford take the lead at Vicarage Road and they deserve it. A throw in is launched into the box. It's allowed to bounce and the ball goes over the head of Lovren. Doucoure runs on to it and cuts the ball back into the six-ayard box to Sarr. Sarr has a tap in to give Watford the lead.

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:44
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Watford 1 - 0 Liverpool

57 mins: Lovren leans on Deeney and gives away a free kick. The ball is sent into the box and Deeney gets in front of van Dijk and heads it wide. Liverpool have the backs against the wall now. What can they come up with in response?

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:47
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Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool - Sarr

60 mins: GOAL! A Watford throw in on the right wing is kept in play by Troy Deeney and he sends the ball forward for Sarr. Sarr gets behind the defenders and he's in on goal by the time he collects the ball. Alisson comes out ot close him down but Sarr puts the ball over him and into the net!

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:51
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Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool

63 mins: Adam Lallana comes on for Gini Wijnaldum. Liverpool have been stung in the Hornet's nest and need to find a way out. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:54
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Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool

66 mins: Lallana wins a corner for Liverpool. Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaced by Divock Origi as Jurgen Klopp goes hunting for goals. 

Alexander-Arnold's corner is cleared by Capoue.

Lallana has a shot from range and hits the post!

Michael Jones29 February 2020 18:57
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Watford 2 - 0 Liverpool

69 mins: Doucoure takes down Mane on the right edge of the box and Liverpool have a free kick. Alexander-Arnold fires it into the box but Watford head it away.

Michael Jones29 February 2020 19:00
1583003012

Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool - Deeney

72 mins: GOAL! What is happening?! Lovren is forced off the ball but luckily it comes out to Alexander-Arnold. He passes the ball back to Alisson but Sarr is expecting it and he intercepts the pass. Alisson closes him down so Sarr passes back to Deeney who slots the ball into the open goal from just inside the box. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 19:03
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Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool

75 mins: Watford have been incredible. They're out of sight now, they'll get a much needed three points. Liverpool have been blown away by them today. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 19:06
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Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool

78 mins: Firmino makes way for Minamino as Liverpool make another change. Origi sends the ball into the box from the left and finds Mane. He heads the ball back across goal but Watford clear. 

Michael Jones29 February 2020 19:11
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Watford 3 - 0 Liverpool

81 mins: Sarr is played in on goal again. He runs past Lovren and takes hold of the ball. He is one-on-one with Alisson and goes for the bottom far corner but sends the ball wide. 

It's his last action of the match as he gets replaced by Pussetto.

Michael Jones29 February 2020 19:14

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