WATFORD, ENGLAND - Monday, May 1, 2017: Liverpool's match-winning goalscorer Emre Can celebrates after the 1-0 victory over Watford during the FA Premier League match at Vicarage Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Emre Can takes plaudits for Liverpool’s Goal of the Season – Fans’ Man of the Match vs. Watford

Emre Can unsurprisingly stood out for Liverpool supporters after his stunning strike sealed a 1-0 victory away to Watford on Monday night.

It took a moment of magic from the Reds’ No. 23 to take all three points from a testing atmosphere at Vicarage Road, with Can netting his fifth goal of the season.

This is the 23-year-old’s best tally for a single campaign, with Can stepping up a level in a more progressive duty in Jurgen Klopp‘s midfield three.

His bicycle kick will certainly be a contender for Liverpool’s Goal of the Season award, likely topping those from the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino.

After This is Anfield’s James Nalton named him Man of the Match, Can also took centre stage as supporters gave their player ratings, averaging an 8.8.

The German was the only one of Klopp’s squad to be rated over 8, though three others clearly caught the eye.

Simon Mignolet‘s eighth clean sheet of the season earned him a rating of 7.8, while centre-back Joel Matip was also lauded for his defensive efforts, with 7.3.

After taking Coutinho’s place on 13 minutes, Adam Lallana produced a 7.6 performance, revitalising the Reds’ forward line.

Dejan Lovren, Lucas Leiva and late substitute Daniel Sturridge were all awarded an average of 6.8, with Nathaniel Clyne (6.3) not far behind.

Things weren’t quite so impressive for James Milner (6.1), Georginio Wijnaldum (5.9), Roberto Firmino (5.8) and Divock Origi (5.4), with the quartet struggling to make their mark.

And finally, Ragnar Klavan (5.7), who replaced Lallana with three minutes left to play, was given little time to impact the game.

Can’s goal was clearly the difference in Hertfordshire, but with seven players rated at over 6.5, Liverpool’s team effort was just as important.

And speaking after the game, Klopp praised his side’s response to losing 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace last time out.

“They are a difficult-to-play-against opponent, deep defending,” he said of Watford.

“We passed a lot, which we had to do, it’s not possible to create chance after chance.

“I thought we improved from last week when we didn’t look patient enough, but today we looked better and had these moments.”

There were no moments more impressive than Can’s winner, and he has been rightly acknowledged as Liverpool’s Man of the Match.

* Ratings correct at time of writing—have your say here.

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