Liverpool v Watford ratings: Thiago 8, Salah 4; Sisoko 6, Kucka 2

Jurgen Klopp's stars win 10th Premier League game on the trot

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  LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson 7 - The Brazilian was solid when needed and his save from Kucka was a turning point in the game. The team know they can rely on their goalkeeper. Reuters

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  Joe Gomez 7 - The 24-year-old is no Alexander-Arnold but he still managed to ping in the cross for the opening goal. He was confident in defence and more creative than expected. Reuters

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  Joel Matip 7 - The 30-year-old was comfortable under pressure and cool in possession. He offered options when stepping into midfield with the ball. AP

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  Virgil van Dijk 7 - The Dutchman ensured that Watford’s aerial threat was nullified. His composure and organisational skills were on show. AFP

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  Andrew Robertson 6 - The Scot ranged up and down the line and caused the opposition problems. He would have been more impressive with a better final ball. Getty

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  Jordan Henderson 5 - The captain was not as effective as usual and his distribution was spotty. He improved in the second half. AFP

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  Thiago Alcantara 8 - The 30-year-old dominated the midfield. Watford could not get a handle on him. He made way for Milner in the final minute. AFP

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  Curtis Jones 5 - The 21-year-old worked hard but lacked incisiveness. He picked up a knock in the second half and was replaced by Fabinho in the 62nd minute. AFP

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  Mohamed Salah 4 - It was not the Egyptian’s day. He was neutralised by Kamara and his touch was off. Withdrawn for Mane in the 69th minute. AP

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  Roberto Firmino 6 - The Brazilian put in some hard yards, dropping deeper to help with the pressing game. This was not his flashiest outing but he was important to the team. Getty

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  Diogo Jota 7 - The Portuguese had long spells when he was anonymous but stamped his mark on the game with the opening goal. He dominated in the air and could have scored more with his head. EPA

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  SUBS: Fabinho 7 - The Brazilian replaced Jones in the 62nd minute. The midfield functioned more smoothly for his presence. Getty

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  Sadio Mane 6 - The Senegalese came on for Salah with 21 minutes to go. He was busy but unable to carve out a real chance. James Milner 5 - The 36-year-old was brought on in the final minute for Thiago. He helped see out the final moments. PA

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  WATFORD RATINGS: Ben Foster 5 - The goalkeeper might have done better for the opening goal. He made a good save from Jota later on and was sharp off his line to deny Mane near the end. EPA

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  Hassane Kamara 6 - The Frenchman did well against Salah but will be disappointed that the opening goal came down his flank with a cross from Gomez. AFP

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  Samir 6 - The Brazilian was strong in the tackle and confident on the ball. There will be questions about how easily Liverpool won headers in the box, though. AFP

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  Christian Kabasele 5 - The 31-year-old made a fine headed clearance from a Gomez cross but, like his team-mates, was found wanting in the air. He was better when the ball was on the ground. EPA

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  Kiko Femenia 4 - The Spaniard should have tracked Jota before the opening goal. Losing the Portuguese at a vital moment ruined a reasonable performance. AFP

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  Imran Louza 6 - The 22-year-old looked good in possession and pressed well but his final ball was lacking. He made way for Cleverley in the 78th minute. AFP

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  Moussa Sissoko 6 - The Frenchman harried the Liverpool midfield and was composed on the ball. He was effective without being incisive. AP

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  Juraj Kucka 2 - The Slovak should have given his team the lead moments before Liverpool scored. He compounded that miss by giving away a mindbogglingly stupid penalty that put the game out of Watford's reach. PA

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  Ismaila Sarr 5 - The Senegalese teed up Pedro, who should have scored, and produced a number of nice touches on his return. Tiredness began to show and he drifted out of the game. AP

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  Joao Pedro 4 - The Brazilian had a wonderful chance in the second half but put the ball wide of the post. He made way for King with 12 minutes remaining. Reuters

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  Cucho Hernandez 5 - The Colombian showed for the ball but did not do enough to trouble the defence. It was no surprise when he was withdrawn for Dennis with 12 minutes left. EPA

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  SUBS: Emmanuel Dennis 4 - The Nigerian entered the game with 12 minutes left at the expense of Hernandez. He was caught in possession immediately and it was his only eye-catching moment Getty

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  Tom Cleverley 5 - The 32-year-old joined the action in place of Louza for the last 12 minutes. He was unable to influence proceedings. Josh King 5 - The Norwegian came on for Pedro in the 78th minute. The switch made little difference as Watford’s challenge petered out. PA

Liverpool turned up the title race pressure with a 2-0 win over Watford at Anfield.

Diogo Jota’s 20th goal of the season in the first half was followed by a late Fabinho penalty to send the Reds to the top of the Premier League for the first time since September.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, watching from the bench, saw stand-in Joe Gomez, making only his second Premier League start of the season, produce a fabulous cross for Jota to finish.

He almost had a second seven minutes before half-time only for Ben Foster to parry his shot after Andy Robertson’s drive deflected to him in the penalty area.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, unbeaten domestically since late December, saw the game home with Fabinho’s late penalty after referee Stuart Atwell reviewed the pitchside monitor after missing Kucka pull down Jota.

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, simply swipe.