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Emre Can hits superb winner at Watford as Liverpool close in on top-four finish




Liverpool took a significant step to sealing Champions League qualification as Emre Can scored a goal-of-the-season contender to down Watford on Monday night.
Jurgen Klopp had seen Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal drop points in the battle for the Premier League top four before his side travelled to Vicarage Road – and they took full advantage.
A largely forgettable 90 minutes was settled when Can lit up a cold Hertfordshire evening with a superb volley in first-half stoppage time to clinch a 1-0 win.
The victory moved Liverpool four points clear of United in fifth, although they have played a game more than their bitter rivals.
Watford, on 40 points and all-but safe from the drop, were not at the races as they failed to react to captain Troy Deeney’s criticism following the recent defeat at Hull.
Watford manager Walter Mazzarri: “I think that if you look at all of the Liverpool games that they play, they usually create five or six clear chances. We didn’t concede them almost anything and had a couple of chances so overall it was a good performance. Usually I don’t like to speak about luck but we were completely unlucky.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: “We scored a fantastic goal. I only saw it once but it looked already pretty nice. I turned a little early and didn’t see it hit the back of the net. It was a difficult game, a difficult opponent. We passed a lot, we improved from last week when we didn’t look patient enough, we looked better.”

Tweet of the match

Star man – Emre Can

In a game where no player from each side had an outstanding game, Can’s piece of magic in a subdued encounter earned the Germany international man-of-the-match honours.

Moment of the match

In a game which produced very little action, Can’s stunning overhead kick in first-half stoppage time will surely be a contender for goal of the season and could prove to be a crucial moment in Liverpool’s campaign. Lucas, who received a yellow card for diving minutes prior to the goal, played a smart ball into an unmarked Can, who used brilliant improvisation to volley past Heurelho Gomes and help Liverpool earn a much-needed three points.

View from the bench

Philippe Coutinho was brought to tears in November after injuring his ankle against Sunderland which many thought would end his season, only for him to return in January. Liverpool fans feared the worse when the Brazilian was forced off following a collision with Watford defender Adrian Mariappa after 10 minutes. With a Champions League place at stake, Klopp will hope Coutinho will be fit enough to play in their remaining three fixtures. The Brazilian was seen with an ice pack wrapped around his right thigh. Substitute Adam Lallana was then taken off with five minutes to go having not played for five weeks.

Player ratings

Watford: Heurelho Gomes: 6, Daryl Janmaat: 6, Miguel Britos: 6, Sebastian Prodl: 6, Adrian Mariappa: 6, Nordin Amrabat: 7, Tom Cleverley: 6, Etienne Capoue: 7, Abdoulaye Doucoure: 6, M’Baye Niang: 6, Troy Deeney: 6. Subs: Christian Kabasele (on for Britos, 18 minutes): 6, Isaac Success (on for Capoue, 72 minutes): 6, Stefano Okaka (on for Amrabat, 85 minute): 6.
Liverpool: Simon Mignolet: 6, Nathaniel Clyne: 7, Joel Matip: 7, Dejan Lovren: 6, James Milner: 6, Emre Can: 8, Lucas Leiva: 6, Georginio Wijnaldum: 6, Roberto Firmino: 6, Divock Origi: 7, Philippe Coutinho: 6. Subs: Adam Lallana (on for Coutinho, 12 minutes): 7, Daniel Sturridge (on for Origi, 83 minutes): 6, Ragnar Klavan (on for Lallana, 86 minutes): 6.

Who’s up next?

(Martin Rickett/PA)
(Martin Rickett/PA)
Leicester v Watford (Premier League, May 6)
Liverpool v Southampton (Premier League, May 7)

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