Emre Can's overhead screamer gives Liverpool win over Watford
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Updated 01/05/2017 at 23:02 GMT
Premier League, Vicarage Road - Watford 0 Liverpool 1 (Can 45')
Emre Can celebrates scoring a wondergoal for Liverpool against Watford
Image credit: Reuters
Emre Can scored one of the goals of the season as Liverpool tightened their grip on a top-four place with a 1-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Germany international illuminated a horrid first-half when his audacious bicycle-kick broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.
An early injury to Philippe Coutinho stifled Liverpool’s rhythm from the start and the visitors failed to carve up any chances of note in the opening period until a spectacular first-time volley from his replacement Adam Lallana, who was making his first appearance since March, agonisingly smashed against the crossbar.
But then came the real special moment: Lucas Leiva lifted an exquisite cross into the penalty area and Can finished with an incredible acrobatic effort which gave Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes no chance.
The Reds upped the ante after the restart with Lallana spurning a glorious opportunity to double his side’s advantage while substitute Daniel Sturridge, who was also returning from injury, forced Gomes into a terrific low save.
Watford, who would have moved into the top 10 with a win, improved in the latter stages and may have stolen a point right at the death when Sebastian Prodl struck the woodwork in stoppage time.
But it was Liverpool's night and the victory sees Jurgen Klopp's side consolidate third place, three points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Watford meanwhile remain in 13th and eight points above the drop zone with only three games remaining.
TALKING POINT - Can's stunner.
Remember Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick against Manchester City in 2011? Of course you do, it’s never off the screen, even six years later. Well, Emre Can’s goal was much, much better. Rooney’s effort came off his shin while Can connected sweet as a nut. Goal of the season, for sure. Maybe this decade.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Emre Can (Liverpool) - Deserves the award just for his stunning, outrageous goal. A perfect strike and one you'll see for many years.
PLAYER RATINGS
Watford: Gomes 7; Mariappa 6, Prödl 6, Britos N/A; Janmaat 7, Cleverley 6, Doucouré 6, Capoue 6, Amrabat 6; Deeney 6, Niang 7. Subs: Kabasele 6, Success 6, Okaka N/A.
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Clyne 6, Lovren 6, Matip 7, Milner 6, Lucas 7, Can 8, Wijnaldum 6, Coutinho N/A, Firmino 7, Origi 7. Subs: Sturridge 7, Klavan N/A, Lallana 7.
KEY MOMENTS
13’ - COUTINHO INJURED: The last thing Liverpool fans wanted to see is Coutinho limping off the pitch after 13 minutes, but that's exactly what has happened after that earlier collision with Mariappa. The Brazilian is replaced by Adam Lallana who makes his first appearance in over a month.
40’ - CROSSBAR! Agonisingly close from Lallana who rifles a dipping first-time half-volley from 25 yards straight against the woodwork with Gomes beaten. The moment of the match, but still no breakthrough for the Reds.
45’+3 - GOAL, OH MY! A stunning goal from Can breaks the deadlock and Liverpool are ahead! Lucas lifts a cross into the penalty area where Can takes off and rifles in a goal with a ridiculous bicycle-kick. Gomes has no chance of saving that.
75’ - SO CLOSE! Janmaat loses the ball from the corner and the Reds launch a rapid counter-attack with Can squaring a pass to Lallana who somehow puts the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
90’ - WONDERFUL SAVE! Sturridge wins the ball in midfield and a burst of pace allows him past two challenges before shooting low and hard but Gomes does remarkably well to push the ball around the post.
90’+5 CROSSBAR! Watford are desperately close to grabbing an equaliser! Liverpool can only partially clear from a free-kick and the loose ball eventually falls to Prodl whose shot smacks off the woodwork and bounces clear.
KEY STATS
- Liverpool have recorded 20 Premier League wins for the second time in the last eight seasons (won 26 times in 2013-14).
- Emre Can's goal was the first that Watford have conceded in the Premier League at Vicarage Road in five hours and 19 minutes of play.
- Emre Can scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season (in 29 appearances). Had scored only two goals in 57 PL apps in his first two seasons at Liverpool.
- Liverpool have won three consecutive Premier League away games under Jurgen Klopp for only the second time (also in October 2016).
- Lucas Leiva has provided three assists in his last five Premier League games, as many as in his previous 163 top-flight appearances.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article