Walter Mazzarri branded the manner of Watford’s defeat against Liverpool as unacceptable after the Hornets were thumped 6-1 at Anfield.

A brace from Sadio Mane added to goals from Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum ensured Darryl Janmaat’s first Watford goal was a mere consolation.

The Hornets’ boss declared Liverpool as the strongest side Watford have faced in the Premier League this season, but was nonetheless disappointed with the ease with which his side surrendered.

“In my opinion against a team like Liverpool at home you can lose but I am not happy at all to lose in this way,” the Italian explained.

“We have to work tactically but also psychologically to play against a team like this and for this not to happen again.

“We have to take into consideration that we were missing [Sebastian] Prodl and [Craig] Cathcart that are very important members of the team, the defence were in very minimal numbers.

“We had to make some decisions defensively, but on the pitch and they didn’t work.”

In truth, Watford barely laid a glove on their hosts and the result never looked in doubt from the moment Mane headed Jurgen Klopp’s men ahead.

Mazzarri accepted Liverpool controlled matters on a day where too many Watford players failed to reach the levels expected of them.

“Congratulations from Liverpool, because I am very, very impressed. Not only tactically but even on the running and their pressing they are a really great team,” he said.

“Unfortunately it can happen that on one day you have some of your players that are not on top form. This happened when we played against Burnley, and now this is something we have to reflect on.

“It will help us for the future but when you don’t have your players on top form, especially against a side like Liverpool, this can happen.”

Watford’s woes were increased by an injury suffered by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes in the process of conceding the second goal.

The Brazilian was replaced by Costel Pantilimon and Mazzarri could not offer a definitive conclusion on the severity of the problem.

He said: “He had a very big knock on the knee, but we need to check in the next few days how he is. We will know in the last next few days.”