TWO of Watford’s Nigerian contingent were not in the matchday squad while the third made a brief appearance as the side lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Saturday’s Premier League early kick-off at Anfield.
Diogo Jota and Fabinho scored in each half to take Liverpool to the top of table, at least until the end Manchester City’s clash at Burnley in the afternoon.
William Troost-Ekong, who scored Nigeria’s only goal in the 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday, and Oghenekaro Etebo, who also started the World Cup playoffs game in Abuja, were both dropped from Saturday’s squad by Roy Hogson.
The third Nigerian player at the Hornets Emmanuel Dennis, who has been a regular starter for the club this season, started from the bench and was only brought on with 12 minutes left to replace Juan Hernandez.
Liverpool got the opening goal in the 22nd minute as Jota headed home from Joe Gomez’s cross.
Watford kept themselves in the game until late on, resisting Liverpool and creating chances of their own. But the hosts eased the pressure in the 89th minute when Brazil midfielder Fabinho converted a penalty.
With the victory, Liverpool leapfrogged Manchester City into first place in the table with 72 points, two more than Pep Guardiola’s side.
City will return to the summit if they overcome Burnley at Turf Moor in one of the afternoon kick-offs.
Watford remain in 18th place, the last relegation spot, with 22 points from 30 matches.
