Sarr had his second six minutes later, being set away by Kiko Femenia before calmly dinking over Brazilian stopper Alisson. On the opening day of the season in August 2017, Liverpool unleashed their holy trinity up front – Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah – for the first time. Unbelievably, they only managed one shot in a sterile opening 45 minutes at Vicarage Road – only the second time in 172 games under Jurgen Klopp that Liverpool have been so passive in the first half. Roberto Firmino was the only survivor from Liverpool's starting XI the first time Jurgen Klopp brought a team to Vicarage Road in December 2015 – when they went down 3-0. It is a measure of how astute Klopp's makeover of his squad has been in just four years that the Reds' team embarrassed by two-goal Odion Ighalo that day included Adam Bogdan in goal, Emre Can in midfield and a back four of Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho and Moreno. In fairness, Watford's line-up here contained only three names on the teamsheet from four seasons ago – Craig Cathcart, Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue. Gerard Deulofeu's evacuation on a stretcher, with what looked like a potentially serious knee injury, represents a major setback to Watford's survival hopes. The former Everton winger had contributed 16 goals in 52 starts – but if his oxygen mask and the level of his team-mates' concern is any guide, he may not feature much, if at all, in Watford's last 10 games to save their Premier League status. Two of the stands at sold-out Vicarage Road are named after Graham Taylor and Sir Elton John, godfathers of the Hornets' golden era in the 1980s. But in Taylor's heyday, they discovered wingers John Barnes and Nigel Callaghan by scouting local parks; in 2020, Watford paid a record £35 million for one wide man, Ismaila Sarr, and went shopping in Barcelona to land the other, Gerard Deulofeu. Mohamed Salah of Liverpool challenges for the high ball with Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United. Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (center) celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates against Everton, on Feb. 23, in London, England. West Ham United's Lukasz Fabianski and Angelo Ogbonna in action with Manchester City's David Silva. Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte in action with West Ham United's Michail Antonio. Harry Maguire of Manchester United scores his sides second goal against Chelsea on Feb.17 in London, England. Manchester United's David de Gea attempts to save a shot from Chelsea's Reece James that goes wide. Mesut Ozil of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides third goal against Newcastle on Feb. 16, in London, England.
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