A stunning overhead kick by Emre Can gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory against Watford in their Premier league encounter on Monday night at Vicarage Road Stadium, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Walter Mazzari made one change to the side that lost 2-0 against Hull City, with Adrian Mariappa replacing the injured Jose Holebas.

Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged team from the side that went down 2-1 to Crystal Palace.

The Hornets made a bright start and almost took the lead 70 seconds into the encounter when Niang managed to find a way past the Reds defence, but Dejan Lovren recovered in time to put him off shooting.

Liverpool were dealt a massive blow in the fourth minute when Coutinho collided with Mariappa and came off second best, the Brazilian playmaker initially attempted to run off the injury, but was forced off in the 13th minute, with Adam Lallana being brought on as his replacement.

Watford were also forced into an early substitution when Britos limped off with Kabasele coming onto replace him.

There was not much goalmouth action in the first twenty minutes of the tie, with both sides yet to breach each others defence.

Liverpool gradually got into their rhythm and started to become more productive with their lions share of the possession, with Lallana coming agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute, but his left-footed shot thundered off the underside of the bar.

Emre Can opened the scoring for Liverpool in spectacular fashion on the stroke of half-time, when he got onto the end of Lucas’ ball with an acrobatic effort to make it 1-0.

The second half continued in similar vein to the first, with Liverpool dominating proceeding and Origi nearly punished the hosts in the 50th minute, but his bending sizzling effort was tipped around the post by Gomes.

Watford introduced Isaac Success for Capoue in the 73rd minute as the hosts went in search of the equaliser.

Liverpool should have extended their lead in the 75th minute when a swift counter-attack move saw Can put Lallana through on goal, but the onrushing Janmaat cleared the ball.

Janmaat almost became the hero when he jinxed his way past a few defenders, before unleashing a long-range effort which Mignolet parried away.

Klopp’s side held onto their one-goal lead, despite the late attacking efforts of Watford to record a much-needed three points in their bid to secure a top four position on the table.

Photo: Premier League website