Liverpool tighten grip on third place after Can cracker

Having seen top-four rivals Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all drop points on Sunday, Liverpool capitalised thanks to Can’s jaw-dropping effort in first-half injury time. 

The Germany midfielder’s fifth goal of the season took Liverpool three points above City, albeit having played a game more, inching Jurgen Klopp’s side closer to Champions League qualification. 

It was Liverpool’s third successive away win and got them back on track after a 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace on their previous outing had ended a seven-game unbeaten streak. 

The only disappointment for the men in red at Vicarage Road was the early departure of playmaker Philippe Coutinho with what Klopp confirmed was a dead leg. Walter Mazzarri’s Watford remain 13th, having been denied a last-gasp equaliser when centre-back Sebastian Prodl’s crisp effort thudded against the crossbar. 

M’Baye Niang registered an early shot on target for the hosts, but a sleepy start to the game was remarkable more for injuries than penalty-box action.