Deeney admits targeting “weaker of the two” Dejan Lovren in Watford’s shock win v Liverpool

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Troy Deeney put in a great overall performance against Liverpool as the Hornets thrashed the Premier League leaders 3-0 in front of their home crowd.

Dejan Lovren started in place of Joe Gomez in the heart of the Reds’ defence, and some fans on social media blamed the No.6 for the result, but none of our players can say they had a good game.

MORE: “Hopefully Gomez isn’t out for long” – some LFC fans react to Lovren’s performance v. Watford

Deeney admitted, in his post-match comments, that he did target Lovren as he’s the “weaker of the two” alongside Virgil van Dijk – a tactic that clearly paid off.

Take a watch of the video below (via Sky Sports):

Sadly, Lovren decided to fight Deeney all evening instead of playing what was in front of him. Watford’s skipper loves a scrap and our Croat gave him that – coming off second best on almost every occasion as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds lost their unbeaten record.

The chances of replicating Arsenal’s 2003/04 Invincible season is now sadly over – but after a fully deserved defeat – Liverpool fans will brush themselves down and realise their side still has a monstrous 22 point lead at the table’s summit and are virtually guaranteed to finish as champions for the first time in 30 years.

A brace from Ismael Sarr put Watford 2-0 up after half-time before Deeney put the icing on the cake after some lapse Liverpool defending.

The Reds were poor in the first-half, but woeful in the second and there can be no complaints from players or management.

“They did exactly what they wanted to do, we did not. That’s how football works,” Klopp told the media post-game.

“You have to accept it, it’s not so easy, but it’s the proof we were not good enough. It’s always very difficult.

“If you win good, if you lose, try to do it in the right manner and do it like a man.”

The one player to come out of the game with credit is Jordan Henderson, who missed out through injury. Without the skipper, the Reds lacked midfield thrust, energy and most importantly – a leader.

With the 29-year-old on the pitch, the second-half collapse likely wouldn’t have happened, giving more credence to the claims the Englishman should be named this season’s Premier League Player of the Year.

Liverpool failed to score for the first time in 36 consecutive PL games, but will hope to put that right v Bournemouth at Anfield next weekend.

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