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Sergio Aguero opens the scoring for Manchester City. PA Wire/Press Association Images
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Watford and Man City v Arsenal, Premier League

It’s a bumper afternoon of action in England’s top tier.

Hello and welcome to this afternoon’s Super Sunday liveblog.

There are two 4pm kick-offs this afternoon; Liverpool take on Watford at Anfield while Manchester City host Arsenal in a match that could have major implications on Manchester United’s Champions League hopes.

Team news to follow shortly.

Liverpool have made eight changes to their side; which includes starts for Sheyi Ojo and Christian Benteke.

Watford have made just the one change; Sebastian Prodl coming in for Juan Carlos Paredes in a move that sees Craig Cathcart shift to right back.

There is another start for Kelechi Iheanacho at the Etihad in an exciting-looking line-up.

The Gunners are without Mesut Ozil due to a minor hip injury but still field an attacking line-up; Iwobi, Giroud, Sanchez and Welbeck all included.

Liverpool v Watford is NOT on television while Man City v Arsenal will be live on Sky Sports 1. Both games kick off at 4pm and we’ll be keeping you up to speed with the action in the two matches.

As usual, feel free to get in touch with us via Facebook, Twitter or the comments section below.

Southampton have won 2-1 at Spurs, heaping further misery Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Two goals from Steven Davis, either side of half time, proved the difference after Heung-Min Son opened the scoring on 16 minutes.

Watford are looking to complete a Premier League double over the Reds after winning the reverse fixture 3-0 earlier this season.

Arsenal can go level on points with second-placed Spurs with a win today, although would still trail their north London rivals on goal difference.

Get your score predictions in now or forever hold your peace.

Hopefully two cracking games ahead in beautiful sunshine await.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 11 league games at Anfield. But with so many changes will they be able to put away Watford?

‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ being belted out at Anfield. Only minutes away to kick off at both venues now.

We’re under way at both venues

Liverpool have been dominating early on, bossing the possession stats but creating little.

On the one occasion Watford got in attacking area, Ighalo looked dangerous but was well thwarted by Moreno.

At the Etihad, Manchester City have started the better of the two teams; De Bruyne and Aguero prominent as per usual.

Manchester City 1 Arsenal 0 (Aguero ’8)

A super effort from the Argentine striker and thoroughly deserved. City have been all over Arsenal.

The ball breaks for Aguero in the area and he hits a sweet half-volley into the bottom corner.

Hopefully that will kick the Gunners into gear.

Manchester City 1 Arsenal 1 (Giroud ’10)

That was quick.

Only seconds after going in front Gael Clichy nearly scores an own goal when his header back to Joe Hart trickles wide of the far post. But from the resulting corner, Giroud rises highest to head home and even it up.

Liverpool still on top at Anfield. Coutinho is getting plenty of space out wide.

He has just earned his side a corner after he has a shot on goal deflected just wide of the post. But Watford defend the set-piece well.

CHANCE — Arsenal are way off the pace in defence, City are quickest to nearly all off the breaks. Another loose ball breaks to Aguero and this time his half-volley is deflected over by Gabriel.

Watford are happy to sit behind the ball and bide their time for a counter-attack.

But they’re not getting tight enough, particularly out wide, if they want this tactic to work.

Moreno the latest to try his luck from distance but he blazes well over.

City-Arsenal has been the better of the two games, although both have been entertaining.

Watford have just had their best spell of play but they still failed to create an opportunity.

At the Etihad, Welbeck has left the field with an injury. Jack Wilshere looks likely to replace him. A potential blow to Welbeck’s Euros hopes perhaps?

CHANCE for Watford — Anya blazes over for the visitors. Better from the Hornets.

Ighalo has had a couple of decent chances already but his touch has let him down repeatedly, allowing Liverpool defenders to get a vital foot in.

A good open game at the Etihad, no major chances to report.

Liverpool have a free-kick in a very dangerous position after Suarez chops Ibe down following good work by the youngster.

But Benteke hits the wall twice, with the free-kick and the rebound.

Just over 10 minutes until half time in both fixtures.

Liverpool 1 Watford 0 (Allen ’36)

A clever knock-down by Benteke finds Allen in space in the area and the Wales international finds the back of the net with a sliding effort.

CHANCE for Watford at the other end but Ighalo mistimes his header and misses the target.

HT: Liverpool 1 Watford 0, Man City 1 Arsenal 1

Liverpool are probably just about good value for their lead. They haven’t created a whole lot of meaningful chances and have looked vulnerable on the break.

Manchester City have been excellent at the Etihad, Arsenal are fortunate to still be level.

The players are back on the field at Anfield. Still no movement at the Etihad.

Players are coming back on to the Etihad pitch now.

Watford get second half under way at Anfield.

And Man City follow suit at the Etihad.

Manchester City 2 Arsenal 1 (De Bruyne ’51)

Cracking goal by the Belgian maestro, although the Arsenal defending left a lot to be desired. He picked the ball up about 35 yards out before scampering towards the edge of the area and drilling a shot low into Cech’s bottom corner.

GREAT STOP – Ighalo again, he could have had a hat-trick today. This time he is denied by the fingertips of Mignolet after doing everything right.

30 minutes remaining in both fixtures.

SUB — Firmino replaces his compatriot Coutinho.

CHANCE – substitute Theo Walcott has looked lively since his introduction for Alex Iwobi just before the hour mark. He is played through to a one-on-one with Hart but the England stopper does well.

Man City 2 Arsenal 2 (Sanchez ’68)

They had been threatening.

Monreal plays the ball in towards Giroud’s feet. The big man flicks it into space for Sanchez and the classy Chilean does the rest.

Game on at the Etihad — That goal will have been cheered on the other side of Manchester.

Sterling on for Iheanacho at the Etihad. Pellegrini has 20 minutes to rescue his last game at the Etihad.

Watford are enjoying a bit more space and possession at Anfield. A more clinical side would have been back in this by now.

GOOD SAVE — Cech takes no chances with a De Bruyne free kick. It was straight at him but Otamendi was doing his best to distract the Czech stopper. The big man, rather sensibly, opts to fist it over the bar.

CHANCE for City. Aguero’s left-footed effort goes agonizingly wide after good work by De Bruyne.

Liverpool 2 Watford 0 (Firmino ’76)

Anya slipped and gave the ball away to Benteke. He finds his Brazilian team-mate whose shot from the edge of the area squeezes through Gomes’ arms. The goalkeeper will be disappointed with that one.

CHANCE for Watford — Another great opportunity for Ighalo. He times his return brilliantly but his right-footed shot is deflected into the side netting. He took too long to get the effort away.

Brannagan on for Ojo with 12 minutes of normal time remaining at Anfield.

At the Etihad, Toure and Bony come on for Navas and Fernando.

Some very nervous faces at the Etihad, and rightly so. Just eight minutes left in a game they have dominated for large periods but have failed to put Arsenal away.

CHANCE – Koscielny’s header hits the bar but he was adjudged offside anyway.

OFF THE POST — Ibe hits the post from a tight angle but probably should have scored.

OFF THE BAR — Bony hits a beaut of a volley that rattles Cech’s crossbar.

All action in the final few minutes.

Moreno is also being replaced by Randall at Anfield.

Into injury time in both games — three mins all round.

FT: Liverpool 2 Watford 0, Man City 2 Arsenal 2.

That’s the lot – no major late drama.

Manchester United the big winners from the Man City-Arsenal game. Wins for Louis van Gaal’s side against West Ham and Bournemouth would get them into the Champions League qualifiers.

Liverpool will be happy with their 2-0 win, Benteke missed a decent chance at the end. After making eight changes it was hard to know what kind of Reds side would turn up but they deserved their win.

That’s our lot for this afternoon. Reaction and reports to follow.

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