Miguel Britos scored a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser for Watford as Liverpool were held in a thrilling game at Vicarage Road.<\/p>\n
The Reds, without Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho due to a back injury, fell behind to Stefano Okaka’s header.<\/p>\n
Sadio Mane equalised with a clinical finish only for Abdoulaye Doucoure to restore the lead from close range.<\/p>\n
Roberto Firmino’s penalty made it 2-2 before Mohamed Salah thought he had won it only for Britos to equalise.<\/p>\n
In Jurgen Klopp’s 100th competitive game as Reds boss, Liverpool wasted a string of chances before Uruguay defender Britos headed over the line from close range.<\/p>\n
Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes, who conceded the penalty after hauling down Salah, denied Alberto Moreno with a fingertip save.<\/p>\n
Joel Matip also hit the bar and Dejan Lovren forced another good save from Gomes as the Reds dominated the closing stages until Watford’s late leveller.<\/p>\n
Relive the action from Vicarage Road<\/p>\n
New season, same old Liverpool<\/p>\n
It was a case of new season but same old Liverpool on the opening day of the campaign.<\/p>\n
As good as Liverpool were at going forward, their defensive frailties – which arose time and again last season – came back to haunt them.<\/p>\n
Klopp’s side were behind after failing to defend the first corner of the match, unmarked Italian striker Okaka allowed to power home Jose Holebas’ delivery.<\/p>\n
In the space of 161 first-half seconds, Liverpool went from outstanding at one end of the pitch to atrocious at the other.<\/p>\n
They equalised with a sumptuous finish by Mane, the Senegal forward collecting a lovely flick by Emre Can before scoring from an angle.<\/p>\n
It was Liverpool’s first serious attack of the game yet moments later they were trailing again after more awful defending.<\/p>\n
The Reds’ defence made a hash of trying to clear Tom Cleverley’s low ball across the box and Doucoure slotted home from five yards – his second goal since joining Watford from Rennes in 2016.<\/p>\n
A clumsy foul by Gomes on Salah allowed Firmino to make it 2-2 from the spot before the Brazilian turned provider with a delicious lob which enabled Salah, a \u00a334m signing from Roma, to put his side ahead on his league debut.<\/p>\n
It should have been the winner yet Liverpool’s defence failed to deal with another Holebas corner, allowing Britos to score three minutes into added time.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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