by Carlingnet
There was a time when Liverpool's first team were as familiar and unchanging as the Liver
Birds - the famous landmark which keeps perennial watch over the comings and goings of
Scouseland.
These days they look as if they met for the first time in the tunnel before the game - and
what's more they play like it.
At least that was the impression Gerard Houllier's collection of Czechs, Dutchmen,
Norwegians, Finns and Scousers gave as the Anfield fans got their first home glimpse of
the Red revolution.
It was more like a Red rag-bag as Liverpool were deservedly eclipsed by Graham Taylor's
relegation favourites.
Tommy Mooney scored the first-half goal which gave former England boss Taylor his
first-ever points at Anfield in 22 years as a manager and his first victory since returning to
the top flight.
And the stunning win is perhaps the vital spark Watford, without a point before today but
with admirable organisation and energy, require to fire their fight to stay in the FA Carling
Premiership.
But, in truth, Liverpool trooped off with faces as red as their shirts.
And so they should, because this was an inept performance, lacking in steel and style, full
of doom and despondency and which earned deserved boos from the Anfield faithful.
It wasn't that Liverpool lacked commitment. New Anfield skipper Jamie Redknapp was
industry personified at the heart of a midfield which strove to provide a service on which
revitalised striker Robbie Fowler could thrive.
But it was always a frustrating blend of quality and vulnerability from a foreign legion which
lacked cohesion.
While Titi Camara, Patrik Berger and Fowler combined at times with relish there were too
many squandered passes, too much speculation and not enough imagination.
Remember, Watford were a team who had begun only their seventh season in the top flight
in their 120-year history with a home defeat by Wimbledon and a thumping by
newly-promoted Sunderland.
Taylor had spent not a bean in the summer, in stark contrast to Houllier's £25million
injection.
Which was perhaps why Houllier was anxious to point out in his first programme notes of
the season that it took Manchester United four years to win a trophy under Alex Ferguson
and seven to claim the title.
The Chelsea revolution, he also observed, was five years old and they still had to win the
Championship.
The difference with Liverpool, of course, is that the days when the club dominated domestic
and European football over 25 glorious years is still warm in the memory of the fans.
"The players need to gain experience, while the supporters will have to show patience,"
says Houllier.
It will have to be the patience of a saint judging by large periods of this entertaining, but
ultimately hugely frustrating match for the home side.
Yes, Liverpool were without new £8 million midfield signing Dietmar Hamann and, we should
not forget, the incomparable talents of Michael Owen, who hopes to return to full training
next week after the hamstring injury he suffered last April.
The torrential rain which swept down on Anfield also made conditions at times a lottery.
But it was no excuse for the holes which appeared in Liverpool's defence with monotonous
regularity.
Anfield's defensive frailties have cost them dearly in the Nineties - just ask former manager
Roy Evans.
And they were on show again, with desperate consequences, as early as the 16th minute.
Watford defender Peter Kennedy clipped in a free-kick which skidded about the Anfield
penalty area like a pinball before landing at the feet of Tommy Mooney.
The Watford striker could hardly believe the space he had found in an otherwise crowded
penalty box and he gratefully side-footed the ball beyond Dutch goalkeeper Sander
Westerveld, before being submerged in a euphoric sea of yellow jerseys.
Liverpool should have hauled themselves level before half-time with Steven Gerrard,
Redknapp and Patrik Berger, in particular, all squandering gilt-edged opportunities.
But, in truth, there was more panic than poise about Liverpool's riposte - and the Anfield
crowd's mood was quickly changing from optimism to exasperation.
In the 58th minute Houllier threw on David Thompson to replace Gerrard in a bid to prick the
lethargy which appeared to have descended over Anfield.
Fowler immediately came close twice with a header and then a shot which struck Paul
Robinson which the Watford defender knew little about.
But the more Liverpool pushed forward the more vulnerable they looked at the back and
Watford should have increased their lead in the 81st minute.
First, Mooney shot against the legs of goalkeeper Westerveld on the edge of the area and
then from the rebound Micah Hyde's chip was headed off the line by Liverpool substitute
Rigobert Song.
Watford had further opportunities to increase Liverpool's embarrassment, with Mooney and
Noel-Williams again going close.
There were four bookings - Gifton Noel-Williams, Kennedy and skipper Robert Page for
Watford and Thompson for Liverpool in a match which was never dirty.
"There's only one Graham Taylor," the Watford fans chanted at the end. And the former
England manager responded with a smile and a wave which lit up Anfield.
Houllier, meanwhile, trudged down the tunnel with hunched shoulders and a thunderous
expression. The revolution has a long, long way to go yet.
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