Arsenal's unbeaten record remains intact after Watford demolishes Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger [Courtesy]

European champions Liverpool suffered their first Premier League defeat this season as their 27-match unbeaten run was ended following 3-0 defeat by a resurgent Watford side on Saturday.

The result means Liverpool's 44-match unbeaten run in the Premier League ended after Watford’s Ismaila Sarr (brace) and Troy Deeney put Reds to the sword.

Jurgen Klopp's men went into the match on the back of 18 successive league wins, one short of a new record, but relegation-threatened Watford had other ideas.

Watford's hopes were almost crashed when Gerard Deulofeu – their chief threat – was forced off with a potentially significant knee problem before half-time after clashing with Virgil Van Dijk.

Sarr put up a man-of-the-match performance and was hugely rewarded with two beautiful goals. Deeney finished them off 17 minutes from the end as Liverpool's hopes of an 'invincible' season were vanquished.

Premier League - Watford v Liverpool - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - February 29, 2020, Watford's Ismaila Sarr in action before Troy Deeney scores their third goal. [REUTERS/David Klein]

Key points

Liverpool still lead the Premier League table and remain 22 points ahead of Manchester City but Watford’s display at Vicarage Road gives inspiration to teams in the relegation zone.

Watford's winger Sarr was on another level providing two goals and an assist and you cannot ask for much more than that.

Alexander-Arnold’s defensive attributes have been questioned by critics and concentration at the back, and they will likely appear again after his horror show on Saturday.

Arsenal unbeaten record

Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' were the happiest after Liverpool's thrashing by the Hornets. Arsenal, however, congratulated the Reds after a successful season so far.

Their 49-unbeaten run spanned between May 2003 and October 2004 and was ended by 2-0 loss to 20-time Premier Champions Manchester United. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney scored unforgettable goals at Old Trafford.

Phew... — Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 29, 2020

 

Facts (Courtesy: Opta Data)

- Watford are the first side to beat Liverpool in the Premier League since Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in January 2019, ending the joint-longest winning streak (18) and the second-longest unbeaten run (44) in English top-flight history.

- Liverpool's 0-3 loss was the biggest margin of defeat for a side starting the day top of the Engilsh league since November 2015 (Man City 1-4 Liverpool).

Premier League - Watford v Liverpool - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - February 29, 2020, Liverpool's Roberto Firmino looks dejected after Watford's Ismaila Sarr scores their second goal. [Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge]

- Watford's victory over Liverpool was the biggest over a side starting the day top of the top-flight table by a team in the relegation zone since Leicester City beat Manchester United 3-0 on November 23rd 1985.

- Liverpool failed to score in a Premier League game for the first time since March 2019 (0-0 v Everton), ending a run of scoring in 36 consecutive league games.