Monday 2 March 2020 18:33, UK
Watford's Gerard Deulofeu needs knee surgery and looks set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious injury in Saturday's win over Liverpool.
Deulofeu required extensive treatment on the pitch after landing awkwardly midway through the first half as he attempted to dispossess Virgil van Dijk, who captained Liverpool at Vicarage Road.
The club revealed on Monday afternoon Deulofeu was set for surgery after scans confirmed a ruptured ACL and torn meniscus.
Watford head coach Nigel Pearson said: "Unfortunately for him and us, the scan results really show he is probably going to be out for the rest of the season.
"For sure Geri is going to be a miss for us; but equally it's important we look forward with a positive mentality. Maxi Pereyra went in for Geri and I thought he did very well when he went on.
"It almost goes without saying that we'll give Geri all the support he needs for a full recovery."
His injury overshadowed what was a momentous day for the relegation-threatened club with their 3-0 win thanks to Ismaila Sarr's second-half double upsetting the Premier League leaders.
Watford became the first team to beat Jurgen Klopp's team in the top flight this season.
It meant Pearson's side moved out of the relegation zone with their first league win since January 12.
Club captain Troy Deeney, who suffered a bad injury himself earlier this season, added: "We wish him all the best, we wish his family well. Unfortunately this is the game that we play.
"It's going to be a real tough one and we wish him well. I said to him at half-time 'we're going to win this for you', and thankfully we did, thankfully I'm a man of my word."
