Watford 3-0 Liverpool: Barclays Premier League as it happened

There is one more Premier League fixture to come today as West Ham travel to Swansea, but we will be back tomorrow night to bring you live coverage of the eagerly-anticipated clash between title hopefuls Arsenal and Manchester City from the Emirates Stadium.

Until then, goodbye.

A superb result in the end for Watford. Aside from Liverpool's brief flurry after half-time, they were comfortably the better side and led the way with pace, aggression and a relentless pressing game.

Full-time

Watford 3-0 Liverpool

Ibe attempts to reduce the deficit with a low shot late on but it goes harmlessly wide. A miserable day for Liverpool is complete.

Three minutes of stoppage time are signalled by the fourth official, but there is no question of Liverpool getting back into this now. They have been well beaten this afternoon.

No hat-trick today for Ighalo as Flores takes him off and allows him to bask in the admiration from home supporters at Vicarage Road. Adlene Guedioura is now on.

Game, set and match Watford after the hosts battle hard to win the ball back in midfield. Ighalo feeds it forward to Deeney, who knocks a good pass out to Behrami on the right.

The substitute then provides a perfect cross for Ighalo, who slips in behind Sakho to head home from close range. That's a brace for English football's most prolific striker in 2015.

Goal: Watford 3-0 Liverpool (Odion Ighalo)

Sakho really is having a terrible afternoon as he gives away an obvious free-kick by climbing all over Ighalo.

A second Flores changes as Behrami, who has been out since mid-November with a calf injury, jogs on in place of Abdi. 10 minutes of the 90 left to play.

Henderson tries his luck from the edge of the area after good interplay between Clyne and Ibe, but Britos deflects the ball over.

The defender is then cautioned for a foul on Benteke.

Some treatment for Can after he catches an accidental arm to the face from Deeney.

Watford make their first substitution of the afternoon, Ikechi Anya on for Jurado.

Another good break from Watford sees Capoue find Ighalo, but his scooped cross back towards the former Tottenham midfielder and Jurado is far too strong and the ball goes wide.

With 17 minutes plus stoppage time remaining, Klopp makes his final two changes as Benteke and Jordon Ibe replace Firmino and Lallana. All or nothing now for Liverpool.

Something of a let-off for Britos as his botched clearance finds Emre Can, who takes a touch before unleashing a shot that takes a slight deflection on its way through to Gomes. Good reactions from the goalkeeper to push wide.

Wasteful from Watford as Lucas concedes a cheap free-kick in a dangerous area but Ben Watson can only send the ball crashing well over the crossbar.

Nyom's ball down the right channel is intercepted by Sakho, but another error from the defender sees Deeney win possession. Luckily for Liverpool, Lucas gets across to block the subsequent cross.

This game is being played at a breakneck speed and Liverpool quickly produce another chance as Coutinho switches the ball across to Henderson on the right.

The captain gets a slice of good fortune as he cuts inside past Ake, but his dipping half-volley is turned behind by Gomes.

Watford come agonisingly close to an all-important third goal as Jurado plays a low pass towards Ighalo and the Nigerian goes clean through after a slip from Sakho.

He shoots, but this time Bogdan reacts well to make a strong one-handed save. That will do his fragile confidence the world of good, you feel.

At the other end, Henderson is given time and space to pick out an inviting diagonal pass towards Lallana. The England midfielder gets ahead of Abdi, but his header drifts wide of the left-hand post with Gomes rooted to the spot.

Abdi later does enough to prevent Lallana getting another header in the penalty area and Moreno's fizzed cross is too hard for anyone to make contact.

Wonderful skill from Ighalo to leave Sakho on his backside. The striker's low cross towards Jurado then causes a real scramble in the six-yard box, but Lallana just does enough to clear.

Nyom is in oceans of space down the left-hand side and wins a corner as his whipped cross is deflected wide by Henderson.

Liverpool deal with the set-piece and launch a quick counter attack, but it breaks down after Origi fails to spot the incisive forward run of Coutinho. The Brazilian looks furious with his teammate, but he may well have been offside.

Deeney and Ighalo are relentless in their defensive work, so Sakho may want to think twice about attempting cute little dragbacks of that nature again.

Replays also suggest he was lucky not to be whistled for a tug on Ighalo's shorts as he looked to collect that earlier pass.

Liverpool continue to apply serious pressure but the Watford backline are holding firm for now.

On the break, Deeney catches Sakho in possession and tries to release Ighalo who goes to ground while tussling with the French centre-back. Nothing given.

Firmino breaks clear of the Watford defence to collect Coutinho's lofted pass, only to be controversially flagged for offside. He looked level.

Strong, almost Ighalo-esque play from Origi to resist the attentions of Britos and produce a low shot but Gomes gets down to make a straightforward save. Much more purpose about Liverpool in the opening stages of this second half.

Liverpool immediately try to take the initiative as Origi gives Cathcart a shove and flicks on Moreno's cross, but neither Lallana nor Coutinho can engineer a clean strike at goal.

Henderson then lifts a pass over the head of Abdi towards Moreno but the full-back's shot is into the side netting from a tricky angle.

The teams are back out for the second half. No changes from either Flores or Klopp at the break.

A perfect opening 45 minutes from Watford, who have caused Liverpool all sorts of problems with their aggression, pace and relentless pressing.

The visitors, though, have been woeful and Klopp, who has lost Skrtel to injury, is rightfully miffed. From Bogdan's obvious lack of confidence to some hapless defending and a distinct lack of cutting edge, they will have to produce a dramatic second-half improvement to avoid defeat here.

The manager will certainly have a few choice words for them at the break.

Half-time

Watford 2-0 Liverpool

Good defending from Craig Cathcart affords Liverpool another corner, but again Coutinho's delivery leaves a lot to be desired and Ake hacks clear.

Three minutes of added time are nearly up.

Liverpool look in disarray at the back as they concede another needless corner. Ighalo then tries to play in Deeney with a sweeping pass from the left but it's slightly overhit and Bogdan can collect.

Another close shave for Liverpool as a Watford corner towards the near post flies past Ake and Lucas towards Britos, but Bogdan is alert to scramble it away.

Three minutes left until the break.

Skrtel does limp off, but Klopp elects to send on Divock Origi instead of Toure. With Lovren already out, Liverpool are looking rather short of defenders at present.

Deeney gives Skrtel a subtle push to win himself a corner and the latter has now gone down once again clutching his hamstring. It looks like he will have to come off after all.

Watford pour forward again through Jurado but the Spaniard is unable to slip his pass beyond Skrtel and into the path of Ighalo. Liverpool are offering nothing in the final third, meanwhile.

Yet another error from Bogdan and Liverpool almost concede again as Deeney inspires a goalmouth scramble and the goalkeeper nervously punches the ball straight against Lucas.

Fortunately for him, Ighalo is unable to make a clean connection with the loose ball. Watford keep the attack alive, but this time Bogdan gets down to make a low save from Jose Jurado's strike.

Skrtel runs gingerly back on to the pitch but it will be interesting to see how he gets on. The Slovakian has played every minute of this Premier League season to date.

That blow really seems to have knocked the wind out of Skrtel. Could we see Kolo Toure introduced shortly? Flores uses the break in play to pass instructions to his players as Ighalo takes on the role of cheerleader.

Clattenburg also appears to be discussing with Bogdan his decision not to rule out Watford's first goal.

Liverpool's response to going 2-0 behind has been very mediocre at best. Gomes has no problem in scooping up an aimless corner from Coutinho.

Skrtel is down and requires treatment after clashing with Lucas and Deeney in an aerial challenge.

Klopp is not a happy man at present as he is seen angrily bellowing from the touchline.

Ighalo, by the way, has now scored 27 goals in 2015 and 11 in the Premier League this term. What a run of form from the ex-Udinese frontman.

Ake hardly requires a second invitation to bomb forward down that left-hand flank and he causes Clyne further problems before being wrongly denied a corner by the assistant referee.

Tempers then flare as Moreno battles with Almen Abdi before committing a poor challenge on Allan Nyom. The Spaniard is given a dressing down by Clattenburg, who opts to keep his cards in his pocket on this occasion.

A brief claim for a penalty from Liverpool as Adam Lallana tumbles under the challenge of Miguel Britos. He is incensed, but no-one else appeals and Clattenburg waves play on.

Watford have stormed out of the blocks here and their lead is doubled in the 16th minute. Liverpool will have been informed all about the Deeney/Ighalo axis prior to this match, yet they were powerless to prevent its effectiveness on this occasion.

After Deeney's initial pass is blocked by Lucas, the skipper breaks free and lofts an inviting ball forward for his strike partner. Martin Skrtel is there to cover for the visitors but he is outmuscled by Ighalo, who lashes a low shot in off the post.

Goal: Watford 2-0 Liverpool (Odion Ighalo)

Liverpool like to press the ball quickly under Klopp, but that is a defensive style also deployed by Flores as has been evident in the opening 13 minutes as Watford swarm all over the visitors in possession.

A first shot in anger from Liverpool as the ball is swept out towards Coutinho on the left. With Alberto Moreno thundering forward on the overlap, the Brazilian cuts inside nicely and curls an effort that is held by Heurelho Gomes.

The pitch at Vicarage Road is looking rather bobbly and that is making things interesting for Liverpool as they attempt to put together a few passing moves.

Nervy moments for Etienne Capoue as he fails in an attempt to clear Philippe Coutinho's corner. Luckily he recovers to make an important tackle.

Bogdan was claiming furiously to referee Clattenburg that he had the ball back in two hands before Ake's intervention, but no foul given. A nightmare for the Hungarian, who would have liked to press his claims for a regular start today.

A dream start for Watford as they take the lead inside three minutes, but what a horrendous piece of goalkeeping from Bogdan. After Ake wins a corner, the ball is floated in towards the goalkeeper and it should be an easy catch.

However, he appeared to be partially unsighted by Deeney's run and Ake nips the ball out of his grasp and prods home. Woeful.

Goal: Watford 1-0 Liverpool (Nathan Ake)

A positive start from Watford as they claim an early corner after persistent work from Chelsea loanee Nathan Ake in harassing Nathaniel Clyne.

We are underway in Hertfordshire. This has the potential to be a very entertaining contest.

The atmosphere is building nicely at Vicarage Road as kick-off approaches. Mark Clattenburg is today's referee.

Liverpool are currently below Watford in the Premier League table of course, with the visitors one point adrift in ninth.

On today's opponents, the charismatic German said: "[Their position is] not a big surprise. They have good players and a good plan.

"It's possible to 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."

30 minutes remaining until kick-off.

Flores is evidently anticipating an impressive atmosphere at Vicarage Road today. Speaking to Hornets Player, he said: "Liverpool are one of the most important teams in England so it is amazing for the manager, for the players and for the fans to play against them in what will be an amazing atmosphere after our last results.

"He transmits a very positive atmosphere for the players and for the fans of Liverpool. He looks like a very fun coach and I think the work he has done has been very good for Liverpool and for football in general.

"He has had a couple of months to consider what he wants and he has changed a lot of things - he changed the system, he changed the shape and different players are playing with this new manager - so we have to be careful. For sure they are thinking about how it is possible to be uncomfortable for Watford, and we are thinking about how we can manage the match."

All eyes will be on Bogdan today...

In Odion Ighalo, Watford can boast English football's most prolific scorer in 2015. The Nigerian international has netted 26 since the turn of the year, forming a lethal partnership with captain Troy Deeney and spearheading the club's successful promotion bid/impressive rise to seventh in the Premier League.

The Hornets have not beaten Liverpool since 1999, however, while Liverpool have generally impressed away from home since Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers in October.

Adam Bogan deputises between the posts for Liverpool this afternoon, with the club confirming that Simon Mignolet has a tight hamstring.

As expected, the fit again Sakho replaces Lovren and Lucas Leiva is in for Milner. Klopp's fourth and final change from the draw against West Brom sees Christian Benteke drop to the bench and Roberto Firmino start.

Watford's starting XI is unchanged from the team that secured a 1-0 victory away to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Behrami is back among the substitutes, but Prodl remains absent.

Liverpool: Bogdan, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Henderson, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino

Subs: Fulton, Toure, Randall, Allen, Ibe, Origi, Benteke

Watford: Gomes, Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Ake, Capoue, Watson, Abdi, Deeney, Jurado, Ighalo

Subs: Arlauskis, Holebas, Behrami, Guedioura, Anya, Diamanti, Oulare

The teams are out...

As for Watford, Quique Sanchez Flores could welcome back Valon Behrami and Sebastian Prodl after the duo returned to training after both nursing calf injuries.

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin (dislocated kneecap) and Tommie Hoban (hip) remain sidelined, however, while defender Joel Ekstrand continues to recover from the knee ligament injury he suffered back in March.

We know that Liverpool will be without Daniel Sturridge once again today as the injury-plagued striker recovers from a hamstring problem.

Dejan Lovren is sidelined as a result of a knee injury sustained during the disappointing 2-2 draw with West Brom at Anfield last weekend, while James Milner has a calf issue. Jordan Rossiter will also miss out.

Centre-back and Klopp favourite Mamadou Sakho is expected to feature after returning to training this week. Long-term absentees Joe Gomez and Danny Ings will miss the rest of the season.

Promoted Watford have flown under the radar somewhat during this most unpredictable and frankly baffling of Premier League seasons, but that will surely change today if they are able to inflict only the third loss of Jurgen Klopp's short Liverpool tenure to date and secure their fourth consecutive top-flight victory for the first time in almost 30 years.

It's a 1.30pm GMT kick-off from Vicarage Road, so stay with IBTimes UK as we bring you breaking team news and confirmed line-ups in addition to frequent live updates.