Liverpool's Klopp told team 'nobody leaves party until 1am' after Watford defeat

Jurgen Klopp has always been known for having good relationships with his players and for not mincing his words. The Liverpool boss proved both were true after a surprise defeat against Watford shortly after taking over at Anfield.

All eyes will be on Vicarage Road this Saturday lunchtime as Watford and Liverpool hope to serve up yet another Premier League classic.

This weekend sees the latest instalment in a fixture which has never failed to deliver in drama in recent years, creating a number of memorable moments.

From Miguel Britos' controversial 93rd-minute equaliser in the thrilling 3-3 draw back in 2017 to Watford's 3-0 drubbing which ended the Reds' hopes of remaining unbeaten for an entire Premier League season in 2020, the Hornets have proven on countless occasions to have a sting in their tail.

However, in the shadows of those two iconic matches is another epic encounter, from early into Klopp's Liverpool reign, which provided talking points for moments both on and off the pitch.

Liverpool suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road in December 2015 ( Image:

Ian Walton)

After Watford ran out 3-0 winners against a calamitous Liverpool in December 2015, two months into Klopp's tenure, the charismatic German showed a glimpse of what was to come now he had arrived in the Premier League with his bold and bizarre post-match antics.

Early into the match, stand-in Liverpool keeper Adam Bogdan dropped a corner with the very first touch on his league debut to gift Watford's Nathan Ake the opener.

An Odion Ighalo double then sealed the shock win as defeat against the newly promoted Hornets left Klopp's men ninth in the table without a win in their last three league outings pre-Christmas.

Cue a remarkable reaction from the recently appointed Liverpool boss who refused to allow his side's wretched run to damage team morale and ruin Christmas.

According to The Times' Oliver Kay, Klopp took the microphone at the club's Christmas party following the defeat and announced: "We are all disappointed, but the game has gone now.

"Right now, this is our priority. I don't mind whether you drink, but no one leaves here before 1am.

Will Watford cause another upset against Liverpool on Saturday? Have your say in the comments.

Jurgen Klopp refused to allow his players to leave the Christmas party until 1am after defeat to Watford ( Image:

Ian Walton)

"Whatever we do together, we do as well as we can - and tonight that means we party."

The energetic Reds' boss proved himself to be the life and soul of said party with it reported that he wouldn't let a single player leave early, while encouraging dance offs and drinking for his players and staff.

Pictures soon emerged from the night out, with one showing Klopp and club captain Jordan Henderson in fancy dress posing in a photo booth.

Klopp's ploy to boost the spirit of the squad clearly worked as the Reds' recovered their season under his guidance to reach two cup finals.

An Odion Ighalo brace helped Watford to a 3-0 win over a hapless Liverpool in December 2015 ( Image:

GETTY)

And it is fair to say, despite a few other Watford-related hiccups in the years since, the Merseyside club haven't looked back.

While Klopp will be looking to rouse his Liverpool players once more in a bid to chase down early Premier League pacesetters Chelsea, who sit one place and one point above them, Watford will once again be hoping to spoil the party.

Saturday will mark Claudio Ranieri's return to the Premier League as the newly appointed head coach aims to begin his Watford reign with a win and spark celebrations of his own.

This isn't one to be missed.