Watford 3 Liverpool 3 – MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Miguel Britos bags 93rd minute equaliser after Mohamed Salah looked to have snatched all three points in dramatic match at Vicarage Road
Jurgen Klopp's side found themselves behind after just eight minutes and serious question marks remain over their defence
MIGUEL BRITOS grabbed a dramatic injury-time equaliser as Jurgen Klopp's fragile defence capitulated on set-pieces yet again.
The Hornets defender, standing on the line, headed into the net after an effort from sub Richarlison came off the bar.
Yet fingers will have been pointed at Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet who failed to keep out the effort although seconds earlier, he did deliver a decent stop to deny Britos.
Mohamed Salah almost enjoyed the perfect return to the Premier League when he turned the game around in the space of two minutes as Liverpool were trailing and playing badly.
Salah, whose previous Premier League game came for Chelsea in their 5-3 loss to Spurs on January 1 2015, had the simplest of finishes after a terrific lob from Roberto Firmino.
Like the opening game between Arsenal and Leicester, this was a thoroughly entertaining contest which featured some really embarrassing defending.
Watford opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Stefano Okaka got in front of Firmino and his effort was helped into the net by Mignolet.
Sadio Mane, a key player for Liverpool last term delivered the best moment of the game.
Mane picked up the ball outside the box and played the ball to Alberto Moreno before running over the return pass. Emre Can delivered a simple pass to Mane who, after just one touch, directed the ball brilliantly into the top right-hand corner.
Liverpool’s lead did not last long, though. Curiously, new signing Andy Robertson was not even on the bench and it was on the left where they were exposed.
Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled the ball into the net after Klopp’s defence failed to clear the cross from Cleverley.
Yet the game changed within the space of those two minutes. Firmino scored from the penalty spot after Heurelho Gomes needlessly rushed off his line and caught Salah.
And Salah, who had not been playing particularly well, put his team ahead, scoring from close range after Gomes made another dubious decision to rush off his line.
With nearly half an hour left, new signing from Burnley Andre Gray was handed a debut while Dejan Lovren saw an effort hit Watford’s bar.
INTERACTIVE STATS – CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared
INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS– CLICK on a player’s number below to see their stats
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- Jurgen Klopp was celebrating his 100th game in charge of Liverpool, but it looked like familiar problems for the German boss as his defence was carved open twice in the opening 45 minutes.
- Early optimism over Liverpool's season was dampened after just seven minutes when the Reds conceded from a set-piece yet again. Stefano Okaka was completely unmarked as he headed home the opener.
- Sadio Mane was Liverpool's best player in the first-half and like last season, he scored with his first shot of the new campaign to cap off a wonderfully worked goal.
- Liverpool were level for just two minutes and 41 seconds as Watford put themselves back ahead through Abdoulaye Doucoure - but it came in controversial fashion as the midfielder appeared to look offside.
- Liverpool new boy Mohamed Salah was on fire in pre-season scoring four goals. He bagged himself a starting role in Klopp's side but he didn't have his shooting boots on today. He had a great chance in the first half but scooped it over the bar.
- But the rapid Egyptian came out a new man in the second half and completely turned the game on its head. He won Liverpool a penalty with his pace before latching onto Roberto Firmino's lob to put his side ahead.
- Klopp opted to spring a surprise with his team selection and picked Alberto Moreno over James Milner in the left-back role. But he failed to impress as he was caught out of position for Watford's second goal. He also failed to make a tackle in the first half.
- Neither goalkeeper covered themselves in glory. With five attempts on target during the match, all of them hit the back of the net. Heurelho Gomes had a nightmare with Liverpool's second and was in no man's land for their third.
- Both sets of fans came together to remember Watford legend Graham Taylor in the 72nd minute by giving him a minute's applause.
- Liverpool missed the wonderful link-up play that Philippe Coutinho can provide between midfield and attack. Liverpool fans will be wondering whether he will play for the club again with Barcelona interested.
- Liverpool's defence looked so fragile at times. They want Southampton's Virgil van Dijk and the Saints can whack an extra few million on his price-tag.
- Marco Silva had a stunning home record in his previous two clubs that stretched to 41-games unbeaten. Miguel Britos' last minute equaliser will hope to kick-start a new streak at his new club.
WHAT THEY SAID
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "We weren't too good in moments and were unlucky in the end.
"They got an equaliser which was offside which I thought was obvious. The linesman needs to see this.
"We came back in the game but in the first half I was not too happy. We didn't have any direction in our game. The second half was a lot better because there was direction involved."
SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Watford: Gomes 5, Janmaat 6 (Femenia 18, 6) Kaboul 7, Britos 7, Holebas 7, Chalobah 6, Doucoure 8, Cleverley 5, Pereyra 6 (Richarlison 49, 6) Amrabat 6, Okaka 7 (Gray 63, 6)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Watson, Prodl, Capoue
Goals: Okaka, Doucoure, Britos
Liverpool: Mignolet 5, Alexander-Arnold 7 (Gomez 91, ) Matip 6, Lovren 7, Moreno 7, Can 7, Henderson 6, Wijnaldum 6, Mane 7, Salah 7 (Milner 86, 5) Firmino 7 (Origi 81, 5)
Subs not used: Karius, Klavan, Grujic, Solanke
Goals: Mane, Firmino, Salah
STAR MAN: Doucoure
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