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Attendance: 43,341
Liverpool logo
Premier League
May 8, 2016 at 4pm UK
 
Watford logo

2-0

Allen (35'), Firmino (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Liverpool edge closer to top six

Goals from Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino help Liverpool to record a 2-0 win over Watford and move within two points of the top six.

Liverpool have cut the gap on the Premier League top six to just two points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Watford at Anfield this afternoon.

Jurgen Klopp made eight changes to the side that advanced to the final of the Europa League with victory over Villarreal on Thursday, handing Christian Benteke a rare start up front against the visiting Hornets.

The hosts had the first chance of the game after just a few minutes when Philippe Coutinho attempted to pick out Benteke in the box, but Heurelho Gomes was first to the ball and punched clear the danger.

Watford soon had their own chance for a breakthrough when Odion Ighalo looped the ball over Simon Mignolet from range, only for his effort to hit the top of the netting.

Coutinho was again on the charge on the quarter-hour mark, racing down the left before dispatching a strike that would have gone in at the far corner but for a deflection en route that sent it inches wide.

Joe Allen celebrates with Christian Benteke during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Watford on May 8, 2016© Getty Images

As the half wore on, chances grew few and far between at a notably-subdued Anfield, but the crowd were back in full voice 10 minutes before the break thanks to a rare strike from Joe Allen. Benteke was the provider, heading down a Coutinho cross for Allen to finish with a simple poke past Gomes for just his second goal of the season.

Liverpool came out with renewed energy in the second half, with Coutinho almost doubling his side's advantage just five minutes in. The Brazilian met Benteke's cross from wide but with time and space on his side, miscued his shot and sent it wide.

Watford could have restored parity as the hour-mark approached, with Mignolet called upon to make a finger-tip save to send an Ighalo effort wide of the sticks.

Roberto Firmino celebrates with Sheyi Ojo during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Watford on May 8, 2016© Getty Images

Klopp's charges finally got their second 14 minutes from time after youngster Sheyi Ojo latched on to a poor pass by Ikechi Anya. Firmino was on hand to collect and make a low strike at goal that got the better of Gomes.

Despite several more attempts forward from Ighalo as the clock ticked down, the Reds held firm and wrapped up three points to leave them two points off sixth-placed Southampton, who have played a game more. Quique Flores's Watford, meanwhile, remain 13th.

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Liverpool's Joe Allen celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Exeter City on January 20, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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