LONDON (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has declared that the Premier League is the "most important" competition he wants to win, as Diogo Jota's header and a late Fabinho penalty saw off Watford 2-0 at Anfield on Saturday (April 2).

The Reds started the day in second place on 69 points, one behind leaders Manchester City. The win moved them to the top temporarily but hours later, Pep Guardiola’s men reclaimed their spot with a 2-0 victory at Burnley.

With just a point separating Liverpool and City, the pressure of the title race is at its highest ahead of the clash between the top two at the Etihad next Sunday.

"This week can decide a lot about how May will be. The boys created a top-class basis and now we have to use it. It's a tricky one," Klopp said on BBC Sport.

"There's a reason why it's so difficult to win one trophy. We have to take it game by game. Take it 100 per cent in each game. Hopefully we keep all the boys fit and we can make changes between games. The Premier League is the most important competition."

The visit of the Hornets kicked off a huge month for Klopp's men - who have already won the League Cup - as they remain in the hunt for a historic quadruple.

The potential title decider away to City next weekend falls in between both legs of a Champions League quarter-final against Benfica before another meeting with City in the FA Cup semi-finals.

But Liverpool did not allow those distractions to affect them yesterday, dominating the clash with Watford with 74 per cent possession.

"It was a performance in the right moments," added Klopp.

"We could have done better but after two weeks not together and the early kick-off it's really tricky. But all teams have the same problems. I don't think after the international break I ever see the best game of the season.

"But we were very mature and very controlled."

The Liverpool boss could afford the luxury of leaving Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane on the bench after their exertions on international duty, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold on his return from injury.

However, the hosts did not have the easy afternoon Klopp would have hoped for against the relegation-threatened Watford.

Alexander-Arnold's deputy, Joe Gomez, swung in a cross in the 22nd minute and Jota nipped in ahead of goalkeeper Ben Foster to head in his 20th goal of the season.

But there was a nervousness around Anfield as the Hornets refused to wilt and had a glorious chance to equalise after the break.

Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr created the danger with a burst down the left and his cutback was slotted wide by Joao Pedro.

Liverpool had to wait until a minute from time to get the two-goal cushion they desired when Juraj Kucka wrestled Jota to the ground from a corner.

A penalty was given following a check by the video assistant referee (VAR) and Fabinho took responsibility from Mohamed Salah - who was already substituted - and smashed into the top corner to secure the Reds' 10th consecutive Premier League win.

"There was a lot to admire in the performance. I'm a little bit saddened by that VAR decision at the end," Watford boss Roy Hodgson said on BT Sport.

"There was no appeal from any Liverpool player for a penalty. We might even have created a chance in those last two minutes.

"So that's the only sad note for me, but I'm very pleased with the players' performance because there's no doubt it wasn't a walk in the park for Liverpool."

Over at Turf Moor, it took for Kevin de Bruyne just five minutes to push Man City back to the top of the Premier League table yesterday. The Belgian midfielder found the roof of the net following a Raheem Sterling assist.

Ilkay Gundogan then made it 2-0 20 minutes later, unleashing a first-time shot from inside the box that beat goalkeeper Nick Pope. Gabriel Jesus failed to score a third for City with 11 minutes to go, smacking his shot against the post. 

Guardiola will now be turning his attention to the Champions League quarter-final, first-leg clash with reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid at the Etihad on Tuesday, before the big home clash with Liverpool next weekend. 

City are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games against the Reds – two wins, two draws – with their last meeting a 2-2 stalemate at Anfield.