Liverpool temporarily assumed the Premier League’s top spot against Watford.
Diogo Jota opened the scoring on 23 minutes when he rose to convert Joe Gomez’s cross from the right-hand side with a well-taken downward header.
Jurgen Klopp’s side doubled their lead late normal time when Fabinho converted a penalty after VAR had flagged up Juraj Kucka’s foul on Jota.
Manchester City’s win at Burnley later on Saturday maintained their one-point advantage over the Reds ahead of next weekend’s trip to the Etihad Stadium.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Reds in fight mode for tough month
Eight games in April promise to make or break Liverpool’s season.
Jurgen Klopp’s bid to win an unprecedented quadruple could be hindered as much as heightened in all competitions during that gruelling 28-day period.
His side successfully negotiated an opening gambit with Watford, who were in no mood to simply make up the numbers despite their struggling status.
Roy Hodgson’s attempts to upset the odds against his one-time employers saw the visitors enjoy a handful of early chances on the counter attack.
But the Reds’ response to Alisson thwarting Juraj Kucka saw Diogo Jota open the scoring within a matter of seconds down at the other end of the pitch.
A 10th consecutive Premier League win sent them temporarily into the Premier League title race’s box seat before Manchester City’s trip to Burnley.
One point still separates the main protagonists but Liverpool continuing to fight fit could change all that as early as next weekend at the Etihad Stadium.
Anfield’s alarm clock goes off
As ingredients for fervent match day atmospheres go, facing Watford in a 12.30pm kick-off directly after the international break is less than ideal.
Little wonder, then, that Klopp used his pre-match press conference to implore the Anfield crowd to bring their best qualities into this fixture.
Anyone who could not fulfil that duty, in the German’s eyes, would be wise to consider passing on their ticket to those capable of matching his expectations.
Judging by the noise generated throughout, clearly the tens of thousands that were inside the stadium had already set their alarm clocks well in advance.
Even when Watford were in a renewed ascendancy after the interval, The Kop maintained its vocality levels through to a joyous stoppage-time crescendo.
Defiant chants of ‘We shall not be moved’ greeted Fabinho’s clinching penalty and underlined why Liverpool fans will not be caught slipping on their run-in.
That, as much as their hard-fought victory, will be music to Klopp’s ears.
Fowler parallels justified with Jota
Comparing any Liverpool forward with Robbie Fowler is always a risky move.
The Toxteth native’s 183 goals across two spells has, despite Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s best efforts, yet to be eclipsed by any of the current crop,
Jota’s 20th effort of the campaign, however, drew justified parallels between himself and Fowler ever nearer with an instinctive header from close-range.
He had already drawn level with his predecessor in the Anfield front line by taking the same eight games to record his first five Premier League goals.
And much like Fowler, the Portugal international is not exactly renowned as the most statuesque figure to be operating as a designated target man.
Yet Jota’s innate ability to find the right areas now sees him hold the distinction as the top-flight player with the most headed goals this season.
Scoring in three consecutive games is another sign that the 25-year-old could prove a worthy successor to the man once dubbed in these parts as ‘God’.