Stoppage-time Britos goal denies Liverpool

A goal deep in injury-time from Miguel Britos saw Watford come behind to snatch a point against Liverpool in a six-goal thriller at Vicarage Road.

After the opening game of the season saw Arsenal fight back to beat Leicester City 4-3, this game could have been expected to have been far less entertaining but it turned out to be a cracker.

Much of the excitement came from the performance from the visitors, which was a microcosm of last season; inept in defence but scintillating when attacking.

The buildup to the match was overshadowed by the transfer saga where Liverpool are fighting off a Barcelona attempt to purchase Philippe Coutinho – the Brazilian did not feature at all after not training during the week due to a slight knock -  and the manner of Jurgen Klopp's side's display in the first half suggested they were badly missing him.

Usually fast starters, the Merseysiders crawled out of the blocks with Marco Silva's side outworking and dominating their more illustrious opponents.

And the Hornets took a deserved lead after just nine minutes when the impressive Stefano Okaka nodded past Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool drew level against the run of play just before the half-hour when Sadio Mane beautifully finished off a slick move.

Watford regained the lead just three minutes later however, when slack defending allowed Abdoulaye Doucoure to sweep home from close range.

The visitors were a changed side after the break and two goals in three minutes put them into the box seat.

On 55 minutes, Roberto Firmino fired home from the penalty spot after Heurelho Gomes chopped down Mohamed Salah and then two minutes later, the Brazilian turned provider when his sumptuous dink over the advancing Gomes left Salah to tap into the empty net.

In what was Klopp's 100th game in charge of the club, he was left frustrated as his side then wasted a number of chances to kill the game.

They looked like getting away with it but three minutes into stoppage time new signing Richarlison's effort was turned onto the bar by Mignolet and the ball dropped to Britos who, from one yard out, smashed the ball into the back of the net.

An entertaining game but one which again highlighted the defensive weakness of Liverpool and how thrilling they can be on the break.

Source ISNTV

Manchester City face Premier League new boys Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, 12 August, a match that will be shown live on BT Sport on the eir sport platform [kick off 5.30pm]

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