Nigel Pearson wants Watford to reproduce Liverpool performance

Liverpool v Watford – Premier League – Anfield Stadium
(Image credit: Peter Byrne)

Watford manager Nigel Pearson believes his side can beat anybody at their best and wants February’s victory over Liverpool to be the benchmark.

The Hornets were the team that ended the Reds’ quest for Premier League invincibility with a stunning 3-0 win at Vicarage Road, and that could well be the only loss Jurgen Klopp’s side suffer this season.

Watford have struggled to recreate that performance since and have looked some way off their best in their two games since the restart.

A draw with Leicester and a 1-0 defeat at Burnley leaves them hovering above the drop zone, but Pearson says that if they can rediscover the level they showed against the newly crowned champions then they will be OK.

“We need to draw on it but it has gone now. It is in the past, it is three points on a day where we weren’t expected to pick any points up,” he said ahead of Sunday’s game with Southampton.

“Our focus now has to be on the present. The nature of being in relegation battles is being able to focus on the job in hand and we have to take care of our own performances.

“That is the benchmark you are aiming for. Not always achievable and teams are coming to terms with playing in a different environment.

“We have just got to make sure that our game is close to our best. If we do we have always got a chance of winning games, it doesn’t matter who you play against.

“How I measure our performance is against us, not really against our opponents. If we get our performance somewhere near our best we will always have a chance.

“We are looking to get as many points as we can. For me it is very much a case of preparing ourselves and having a single-minded approach.”

Pearson will hope his side’s preparations are not affected by a club investigation into reports that two of their players broke government rules by attending a house party on Friday night.

A club statement read: “Watford Football Club is aware of social media posts which suggest two players contravened government lockdown protocols.

“The club will fully investigate the matter and speak to the players concerned.

“No further comment will be made.”

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger