The talk was all about the dodgy hamstring of England star Michael Owen.
But it was the incisive brain of Patrik Berger which gave Liverpool revenge in
this roller-coaster encounter at a packed Vicarage Road.
The Czech star was the inspiration behind everything that was good about a
Liverpool side who had lost to Watford at Anfield back in September and had
crashed out of the FA Cup against Blackburn earlier in the week.
But in truth it was a performance which was at times as fragile as it was
fabulous from Liverpool, who still look a long way from challenging the likes of
Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premiership.
It took a second-half goal from substitute Vladimir Smicer to rescue triumph
for Liverpool in a match which the Merseysiders started brilliantly but ended
clinging on to avoid a shock at the hands of the Premiership strugglers.
In the end, goals from Berger, Dietmar Hamann and Smicer were enough against
Watford manager Graham Taylor's courageous team. But it was the sight of Owen
again being substituted after 71 minutes, albeit in his first match for almost
three weeks, which will have concerned England manager Kevin Keegan.
Not that Owen didn't show signs that he is slowly recovering from the
hamstring injury which saw him fly out to see a German specialist in midweek.
He set up Berger's first, hit the bar in the first-half after outpacing the
Watford defence and almost got on the scoresheet after one trademark mazy run
across the face of the goal. But still the doubts remain as he twice pulled up
when powering off the mark, as if the confidence needed by a top class sprinter
is still in a delicate state.
His pace is vital to Liverpool, just as it is to England, which is a doubly
good reason for Houllier to keep his talents swathed in plentiful measures of
cotton wool.
Still, you had to feel sympathy for Taylor, who has pledged not to jeopardise
the club's finances by rash spending, but who splashed out a club record
£1.5million on Icelandic international Heidar Helguson in midweek.
Small beer in today's manic Premiership transfer market, but while Helguson is
no Owen he certainly put a froth into Watford's play.
He even got on the scoresheet with a second-half header and for 20 minutes or
so it appeared he was to experience a dream debut. It wasn't to be but if a team
inspired by Richard Johnson and driven on by defender Paul Robinson continue to
show such courage and passion perhaps their Premiership fate is not yet sealed.
Indeed, it was a match of admirable commitment and energy and enduring
entertainment - a fabulous advertisement for the Premiership and the sort of
game which has observers describing it as the most exciting league in the
world.
Taylor took a moment in his pre-match programme notes to deliver a verdict on
the mania surrounding soccer on these shores. "The attention some of the
players receive is simply out of proportion in relation to the importance the
game should play in our lives," wrote Taylor.
True, but tell that to the 21,000 fans at Vicarage Road after a fabulous
afternoon's entertainment.
It took Liverpool just 10 minutes to take the lead. David Thompson's
terrier-like persistence caused confusion in the Watford 18-yard box and after a
mad scramble the ball broke to Owen. The England star coolly slid the ball
across the face of goal to Berger, who fired a vicious right foot shot past
Watford goalkeeper Chamberlain for his fifth goal of the season.
Owen should have got on the scoresheet himself, courtesy of a beautifully
flighted ball from Berger. The England man, eager to prove his fitness, surged
through beating defender Robinson to the ball, only to see his left-foot drive
cannon back off the crossbar and into the grateful arms of Chamberlain.
Liverpool, in truth, were superior in just about every department and we
waited for the expected avalanche. But then came two goals in a minute just
before half-time.
First, Liverpool struck when Hamann rifled a free-kick into the Watford area
and up popped David Thompson with an outstretched boot to deflect the ball past
Chamberlain. Liverpool, however, were still celebrating when Watford conjured up
an unlikely goal of their own.
It was set up by Xavier Gravelaine with an intelligent short ball which found
Richard Johnson in space and with oceans of time to virtually pass the ball past
Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld from all of 25 yards.
Liverpool were late out of their dressing room after the interval and it
seemed as if they must have been sleeping. Because, within seconds of the
restart, Watford won a free-kick wide out on the right and when David Perpetuini
swung it over new signing Helguson found himself unmarked on the six-yard line.
He could hardly have believed the generosity of Premiership defences as he
nodded the ball past Westerveld for his first goal for Watford.
It was Liverpool who poached their all-important third goal, however, after 71
minutes.
Good work by Owen set up substitute Smicer, who had replaced Hamann, and the
sub slid a well-placed shot past the despairing dive of Chamberlain.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier took off Owen a couple of minutes later to
spare his hamstring any needless strain and replaced him with Danny Murphy. In
truth Watford could still have stolen a share of the points as they surged
forward valiantly - but Liverpool and Houllier held on.
And in the end the result was justice - though Taylor may need some convincing
of that tonight.
Teams
Watford: Chamberlain, Gibbs, Palmer, Page, Robinson,
Lyttle (Smith 82), Miller, Johnson (Bonnot 88), Perpetuini,
Helguson (Ngonge 80), Gravelaine.
Subs Not Used: Day, Gudmundsson.
Booked: Johnson.
Goals: Johnson 44, Helguson 46.
Liverpool: Westerveld, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Matteo,
Thompson, Gerrard, Hamann (Smicer 62), Berger,
Owen (Murphy 72), Camara (Staunton 84).
Subs Not Used: Nielsen, Traore.
Booked: Hyypia, Hamann, Henchoz, Matteo.
Goals: Berger 10, Thompson 41, Smicer 71.
Att: 21,367
Ref: S Lodge (Barnsley).
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