Ighalo’s brace sinks Liverpool

Odion Ighalo scored his 1th and 12th EPL goal of the season as Watford decimated Liverpool 3-0 at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Liverpool entered the game with the confidence to win or at least pull a draw, with Reds manager saying they are not going to Vicarage to applaud Quique Sánchez Flores and his side.

Klopp admitted that his team faced a difficult task at Watford who have conceded any goal in their last five home games.

“They have good players and a good plan,” Klopp said in a pre-match conference.

“It’s possible to be more successful than people think. Watford are playing very well and have good strikers, quick in their minds. But we won’t go there to clap our hands for them.”

Dutch international, Nathan Ake shot the hosts into the lead with just three minutes played, capitalising on an error from Liverpool goalkeeper, Adam Bogdan – the Hungarian fumbling a corner kick and dropping the ball right to the reach of the 20 year-old youngster.

The game continues with pace and push from both sides but Watford taking advantage of it, pulled a second 12 minutes later.

Troy Deeney loops the ball to Ighalo who fights off a challenge from Martin Srktel, with a precise finish, fires the ball into the inside of the far post – the duo combining to a devastating effect on the Reds.

A compact and disciplined Watford team walks into the tunnel 2-0 up at the interval, leaving much work to be done and doubt in the minds of Jurgen Klopp and his players.

Liverpool have conceded at least a goal in six of their last seven EPL games and the goalpost was still open for more.

Ighalo, running through with the ball, crosses to Behrami who spaces out for a perfect cross-in that finds the Nigerian in the middle, and Bogdan begging to be pardoned was helpless as he could only count the third goal of the afternoon enter the net in the 85th minute.

Watford’s one and two-touch football technique earns them the three points, and eighth win of the season, sitting just a point from top four and seventh on the table.

Ighalo’s double moves him to the 3rd place in the goal scorers chart, three goals behind the highest, Jamie Vardy who has 15 goals.

The loss at Vicarage is Liverpool’s heaviest premier league defeat to a promoted side since 1993 when they lost 3-0 to Newcastle United.