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.
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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.
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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.
Neil Wilkes
