Watford recorded their fourth successive win on Sunday afternoon with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Liverpool.
The visitors could not have got off to a worse start, Adam Bogdan making a calamitous error as he dropped a straight forward corner delivery, allowing Nathan Aké to break the deadlock from two yards out with three minutes on the clock.
Before Liverpool managed to muster up any real response, they were two down, Odion Ighalo netting his fourth goal in four games as the Hornets assumed firm control of proceedings.
The Reds never really looked like getting back into the game either, far from their best on the road, and their misery was compounded late on when Ighalo bagged his brace, with three goals securing all three points for the Hornets.
Nightmare start for out-of-sorts Reds
Looking to put an end to a three game winless run in all competitions, Liverpool got off to a terrible start on Vicarage Road as an error from Bogdan, who was given an opportunity today with Simon Mignolet unavailable due to a slight knock, gifted Watford the lead with just three minutes played.
Aké was the scorer and also the creator, his persistence in chasing down a neat through ball paying off as he forced a corner out of Nathaniel Clyne. From that, Bogdan dropped Ben Watson's delivery - despite it being more than a routine catch - and Aké was in the right place at the right time to prod home from two yards out.
The response from Jürgen Klopp's men was positive as the German rallied them on from the dugout, Philippe Coutinho trying to work his magic in particular, but seeing a cut-back blocked before a curled effort was held by Heurelho Gomes.
However, with 15 minutes on the clock the Hornets had two goals on the board, Ighalo refusing to be bullied by Martin Skrtel as he out-muscled the defender before firing home on the half volley.
Troy Deeney put the Nigerian in behind Liverpool's defence and, with three goals in his last three games, few would have bet against him adding another to his tally as he made it 11 for the season so far.
It should have been three just after the half hour mark too, Deeney's cushioned touch for Ighalo parried by Bogdan against his own player, but, fortunately for him, Ighalo mistimed his shot and Skrtel cleared, the 'keeper then saving Jurado's follow-up effort.
Silver lining in Skrtel substitution?
Watford simply looked to be up for it more than Liverpool. They had more of a bite in them and were fighting for every ball. After Deeney conceded that the team had shown Manchester United too much respect a couple of weeks ago in a 2-1 defeat, the Hornets were more than making up for it with this display.
Fortunately for the Reds, a huge blow for them almost acted like a blessing in disguise just before half time, Skrtel hauled off with an injury, further shortening their options at centre-back, with striker Divock Origi his replacement. This meant Lucas Leiva operating in defence, moving Adam Lallana into a central role more suited to him and giving the visitors more going forward in general.
Within two minutes of the restart, the young Belgian, preferred to towering teammate and countryman Christian Benteke, had caused a couple of problems too. First, his flick-on gave Lallana a half chance, from which his shot was blocked, whilst moments later he forced Gomes into a save down low.
Liverpool continued this desperate push forward with an added attacking option as we entered the closing stages, with their captain, Jordan Henderson, trying to give them some much needed inspiration, only for Gomes to tip his volley over the bar.
Emre Can had a go not long after, setting himself from 25 yards but again finding the goalkeeper in his way as he parried the attempt to safety.
Hornets continue to buzz forward
However, if anyone looked likely to add to the scoring, it was Watford as they continued to pose a huge threat on the attack. Ighalo in particular remained lively, making a fool of Mamadou Sakho before causing a goal-mouth scramble with his low cross, which was eventually hacked clear by Lallana.
A slip by the French defender allowed the striker in just past the hour too and he really should have put the game to bed when he raced in one-on-one with Bogdan, but the Hungarian 'keeper made amends for his earlier error with a splendid stop.
Ighalo would bag his second of the day though late on as he rounded things off with five minutes to play. The striker was heavily involved in the build-up, driving forward before laying the ball off to Deeney and making his way into the box, where substitute Valon Behrami would pick him out to head home and seal the win.
Klopp's men are without a win in four now and things won't get any easier after the Christmas festivities, with the Premier League leaders, Leicester City, up next.