Liverpool's England stars cannot halt in-form Hornets

A quartet of England stars could not stop Liverpool from falling to a heavy defeat at Watford in the Premier League on Sunday.

Nathaniel Clyne, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana – sporting 40 full international caps between them – were in the starting XI while England Under-21s star Jordon Ibe came off the bench but none of them could stop the Hornets romping to a 3-0 triumph.

The in-form Odion Ighalo was the main instigator with two goals, after on-loan Chelsea defender Nathan Ake had given the hosts a third-minute lead.

It was Watford’s fourth top-flight win in a row – the first time they have accomplished such a feat since April 1987 – while Liverpool will look to bounce back when they host Premier League leaders Leicester City on Boxing Day.

If it was a bad day at the office for Henderson and co then it was arguably even worse for England U21 goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The stopper, on loan at Preston North End from Sunderland, was controversially sent off in the 30th-minute of their Championship clash with Leeds United.

Having previously made an excellent save from Liam Bridcutt to keep the game scoreless, Pickford raced out of his area to intercept a ball over the top which came into contact with what he claims was his shoulder, although the referee disagreed and sent him off for deliberate handball.

Early in the second half, Preston’s Alan Browne headed past his own keeper – 17-year-old Matt Hudson who was brought on after Pickford’s dismissal – and Leeds, who had England U19s midfielder Lewis Cook in their team, held on for the 1-0 triumph.

Another U21s player, Dominic Iorfa, also suffered a Championship loss as his Wolves side went down 4-1 to Sheffield Wednesday.

Former Young Lion Benik Afobe had made it 1-0 to Wolves from the penalty spot but Fernando Forestieri’s double as well as strikes from Daniel Pudil and Gary Hooper ensured the Owls left with all three points.

And the late introductions of England internationals Jonjo Shelvey and Carl Jenkinson from the subs bench could not stop Swansea and West Ham respectively playing out a 0-0 draw in their Premier League clash at the Liberty Stadium.

In the dug-out, there was a successful return for ex England U19s head coach Sean O'Driscoll, who led Walsall to a 2-0 win over Port Vale in his first game in charge of the League One club.