Liverpool v Watford: Live matchday blog
Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino scored in either half to give Liverpool a 2-0 victory against Watford at Anfield in the Barclays Premier League.
Our rolling matchday blog provided all of the build-up, action and post-match reaction throughout the day - scroll down for a recap or click the links below for more.
Joe Allen football
What's not to love about Joe Allen?
So, we leave you tonight with a brilliant quote from the boss, who explained how he told the team he wanted them to play 'Joe Allen football' in the pre-match meeting.
"In the meeting today I said it would be cool if we could play ‘Joe Allen football’ – brilliant technique, hard-working, very lively, very energetic. He is a great player."
Goodnight.
Jürgen Klopp also had a message for Liverpool fans hoping to travel to Basel for the Europa League final. Click here to read it.
The manager's verdict
Jürgen Klopp addressed the media in the aftermath of today's game - and it's fair to say he was very satisfied with his side's performance in the Merseyside sunshine.
"It was a real professional performance. We did what was necessary. It was not brilliant or a game for the LFC museum, it was a professional performance. We were the better team and deserved to win, so I am very happy."
Click the image of Jürgen to read his thoughts in full...
Watch Jason McAteer and Ronnie Whelan analyse today's victory over Watford in our free video below...
Here's how the Premier League table looks for Liverpool after this weekend's fixtures...
Here are the final stats from Anfield...
Full Time
Liverpool 2-0 Watford
The Reds take all three points at Anfield through the goals in either half from Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino. Job done for Jürgen Klopp's charges.
Substitution
Randall replaces Moreno for the final moments.
Chance for Benteke to extend the lead further, played into the area by Allen, but the Belgian's finish is blocked by Gomes.
Substitution
Brannagan replaces Ojo.
Goal
GOAL!! Roberto Firmino!
The Reds have the cushion they needed through Firmino, who carried the ball forward always intending to shoot and found the far left corner with a low hit that got past a touch from Gomes.
Yellow Card
Seconds later, Berghuis is booked for a foul on Ibe.
Watford have far from given up here and they work the ball from left to right and set up substitute Berghuis for a strike that Mignolet collects at his near post.
Substitution
Amrabat comes on for Abdi.
Danger for the Reds as Abdi stands over a free-kick 20 yards out and in an ideal position - but the midfielder sends it over the bar
Yellow Card
Flanagan receives a caution for a foul on Abdi.
It rarely takes long for Firmino to get into a promising position and within seconds of coming on, he curls a left-footer just too close to the goalkeeper from the right corner of the box
Substitution
Coutinho's work is done for the afternoon as he is replaced by compatriot Firmino.
Yellow Card
Britos into the book for a high foot on Benteke.
Substitution
Berghuis replaces Jurado.
Now Watford go very close and it's a brilliant save by Mignolet, diving to his right to get fingertips on a curling effort from Ighalo, who had evaded Moreno's last-ditch tackle.
Substitution
Guedioura comes on for Suarez.
Should be two. Benteke and Coutinho link up effectively and the former perfectly tees up the latter for a finish from inside the box, only for the Brazilian to miscue and squander the chance.
A neat stop-and-go dribble by Ibe on the left hand side of the area works space for a cross but the pull-back eludes a Liverpool teammate.
Kick-Off
Watford get the game underway again, with the Reds now attacking towards the Kop end.
Here are the stats of the game so far...
Half Time
Liverpool 1-0 Watford
It has been an even opening 45 minutes at Anfield and the Hornets have caused concern on the counter, but the Reds lead thanks to Allen's goal.
Allen's goal and celebration...
Coutinho sizes up a second as he runs into a central shooting position but his eventual hit is blocked by Prodl.
Goal
GOAL!! Joe Allen!
A simple goal brings a breakthrough at Anfield. Benteke nodded down a free-kick forward and Allen timed his run nicely to meet the ball and force it underneath the outcoming Gomes. 1-0 to the Reds.
And Skrtel was involved twice in quick succession there, preventing Ighalo from taking advantage of a good ball in behind and then blocking a blast by Abdi that may have been bound for the bottom corner.
Match shot
Skrtel keeps Watford at bay in the early stages.
The home side are slowly beginning to exert pressure, although they are finding it difficult to create space in the final third. Moreno sends a left-footer over the bar on the diagonal in the latest effort.
Almost a trademark strike from Coutinho as he drifted in from the left and aimed a curler for the opposite corner, but a deflection off Cathcart made it swerve wide. Unlucky.
Another sight of goal for Ighalo, though this time from very long range. The forward was gifted the ball by Allen and instantly clipped a shot close but into the Kop.
After a slow start, it's the visitors who threaten first. The Reds have Moreno to thank for an excellent piece of recovery defending as Deeney released Ighalo through the middle and otherwise clean in on goal.
A reminder that you can analyse today's game as it happens with our interactive Opta chalkboard...
Kick-Off
Here we go - Liverpool get us underway. Come on, Reds!
Behind the red door...
Here are a couple of snaps from inside the Liverpool dressing room earlier this afternoon.
Here’s how Watford line-up: Gomes, Cathcart, Britos, Prodl, Anya, Abdi, Suarez, Watson, Jurado, Deeney, Ighalo.
Subs: Pantilimon, Nyom, Paredes, Ake, Guedioura, Berghuis, Amrabat.
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Lucas, Moreno, Stewart, Allen, Coutinho, Ibe, Ojo, Benteke.
Substitutes: Bogdan, Toure, Randall, Chirivella, Brannagan, Firmino, Sturridge.
Lucas Leiva captains the side.
GOTD
Enjoy this Stevie G strike from 2005 for free against today's opponents, Watford.
It's a beautiful day...
Switching sides
This guy is perhaps the most notable person to have represented both Liverpool and Watford, but who else has done so? Click here to let LFC Xtra fill you in...
As we enter the final week of the 2015-16 season, take a look at how the campaign has mapped out for both teams ahead of this afternoon's meeting...
'No thoughts of the final this afternoon'
In his programme notes, the manager wastes no time in stressing that Liverpool's focus will be 100 per cent on Watford today and not the Europa League final they reached earlier this week. Click the picture to read an exclusive extract.
Today's programme cover...
Weather
*drum roll*
It's standard procedure here to provide you with a pre-match weather forecast - and today is no different, of course.
And, for once, we can report warm temperatures and quite confidently predict you won't need a coat if you're at Anfield this afternoon. It's a humid 18 degrees already and set to rise to 23 shortly before kick-off.
... and good news
If you are a customer with Sky (in the UK & Ireland) or Virgin Media (in the UK), you'll also be able to watch LFCTV's exclusive build-up and post-match reaction at the stadium completely free of charge this afternoon.
In fact, the club's official channel is free until 6am BST on Tuesday, with a range of brilliant programmes also available without subscription at the moment.
Visit liverpoolfc.com/watch for more details.
Good morning...
We trust you have recovered from Thursday night? The games never stop for Liverpool this season and it's time to go again this afternoon, with Watford the visitors to Anfield in the Barclays Premier League.
As always, we've got you covered right here with everything - build-up to the match, confirmed team news, live coverage and reaction. You don't even have to refresh the page.
Enjoy!