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Liverpool talking points after Emre Can inspires 1-0 win at Watford

Troy Deeney is challenged by Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne
Image: Troy Deeney is challenged by Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne

From Emre Can's stunner to Adam Lallana's impressive return, we round up the talking points from Liverpool's win at Watford ...

Can's moment of magic

Emre Can produced a stunning overhead kick to secure Liverpool a vital victory at Vicarage Road.

Running on to Lucas' lofted pass into the box, the German, with his back to goal, leapt up and connected perfectly with his right-foot, to send the ball looping past Heurelho Gomes and into the Watford net.

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Watch highlights of Watford 0-1 Liverpool

"It's the best goal I've ever scored," Can said after the game, while Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher agreed it was one of the great Liverpool goals. "You just have to stand there and admire the finish," he said of the first-half injury-time strike.

It was Can's fifth Premier League goal of the season and, after an impressive all-round performance, he picked up the man of the match prize, too.

Coutinho concern

Earlier in the first half, Liverpool were dealt a blow when Philippe Coutinho was forced off with what looked to be a dead leg, following a collision with Watford defender Adrian Mariappa.

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho goes down injured
Image: Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho goes down injured

Unable to run off the injury, there were just 13 minutes on the clock when the Brazilian came off and he spent the rest of the match with ice packed around his right thigh.

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Coutinho had hit form in April, scoring four times and making one assist in the past month, and Liverpool will be hoping he will be ready for their clash with Southampton at Anfield on Sunday.

Lallana's impressive return

Coutinho's injury allowed Adam Lallana to make his return to action after missing all of April with a thigh injury he picked up on England duty.

Klopp had said before kick-off that the attacker wasn't fit to start after only taking part in two training sessions following his lay-off but Lallana was thrown into the fray on 13 minutes. He didn't disappoint.

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Liverpool's Adam Lallana says they needed to ride their luck at times after their 1-0 win over Watford

Liverpool have missed him when he's been sidelined this season. They dropped points against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace without him recently, while earlier in the season Lallana was also absent for the dramatic 4-3 loss at the Vitality Stadium and draws with Southampton and Manchester United.

On Monday night he delivered a reminder of his importance, stringing together Liverpool's play, with an 87.5 per cent pass completion rate, the most of any attacker on the pitch.

"This season he's been right up there as Liverpool's best player," said Carragher. "He makes other people play better. He's got to go into the team [against Southampton]."

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his side stayed patient during their 1-0 win over Watford

Lucas's purple patch

One player Klopp may think twice about dropping, however, would be the back-in-form Lucas, who recorded another assist on Monday night.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva of Liverpool is pursued by Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure
Image: Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is pursued by Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure

While Can still had plenty to do when he received Lucas' chipped pass, the Brazilian has taken his assist tally to three in five games. Remarkably he'd managed just one in 105 appearances before that.

As well as his creative contribution, Lucas was also top for tackles, interceptions and blocks, breaking up the Watford play and providing his team-mates a platform to attack from.

Liverpool's top four boost

After Arsenal's north London derby defeat and weekend draws for Manchester United and Manchester City, Liverpool seized the chance to take advantage of their top-four rivals' slip-ups.

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Liverpool remain third, but the victory over Watford puts them on 69 points, three clear of City and four ahead of United, having played a game more than both. Arsenal have two games in hand but even if the Gunners won both of those matches they'd still be three adrift of Klopp's men.

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If Liverpool can avenge their EFL Cup semi-final losses to Southampton next weekend, they could pull further ahead of United and Arsenal, who face-off at the Emirates on Sunday.

"Tonight has put Liverpool in a great position, considering the fixture next week," said Carragher.

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