With 72 points, the Reds have two more than the Citizens, who travel to penultimate, Burnley, in the afternoon, while the two rivals will meet in eight days at the Etihad for straight away.
But before projecting themselves towards this crucial duel or even towards the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League against Benfica on Tuesday, Jürgen Klopp's men had to ensure against the Hornets, 18th and first relegated with 22 points.
Counting 3 points behind but 3 matches more than Everton which precedes them in the standings, the maintenance will undoubtedly be difficult to get, even if the match against Liverpool would have something to give them some grounds for hope.
Short on legs and seeming to lack the juice, which is not very surprising after an international break, the Reds struggled to destabilize their opponent and to be really dangerous.
The match changed in the heart of the first period, when midfielder Juraj Kucka, after recovering the ball and projecting himself forward, lost his face-to-face with Alisson (22nd).
Thirty-four seconds later, at the other end of the field, Diogo Jota headed ahead of goalkeeper Ben Foster to cut off a cross from Joe Gomez, shifted to the right to make up for the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and open the score (1-0, 22nd).
Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota opens the scoring at home against Watford, during the 31st day of the Premier League, April 2, 2022 at Anfield Road Stadium Paul ELLIS AFP
Kucka was the unfortunate hero of the match since he caused, at the very end of the match, the 2-0 penalty, converted by Fabinho, by literally tackling Jota on the ground from a corner (89th).
Watford may also regret a big chance missed by Joao Pedro shortly before the hour mark, but even a Liverpool far from 100% was still too strong for him.
© 2022 AFP