Watford head coach Claudio Ranieri took inspiration from Liverpool before the Hornets' 4-1 win against Manchester United, claims Joshua King.

Jurgen Klopp's men created something of a blueprint with their own thrashing of the Red Devils, as they won 5-0 at Old Trafford less than a month ago, during which they pressed high up the pitch and forced errors from the creaky United defence.

Ranieri's men produced a similar performance and put four past their visitors at Vicarage Road on Saturday, leading to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting the sack.

After the match King explained that Watford had studied the Liverpool game in preparation and followed their lead to a tee.

“I felt [the win] was deserved. We knew we had to start very aggressive,” King told the club website.

“Before the game, the manager showed us a lot of clips from the Liverpool game and how they pressed their back line. We did that exceptionally today.

“I think first half was better than the second half in terms of pressing but at the end of it they tried to go for it, and we punished them with two goals.”

King netted the first of Watford's four, after Ismaila Sarr had a penalty saved by David De Gea.

The Norwegian felt he could have added more to his tally later in the match.

“I should’ve [scored more] to be honest. I’m not happy with my own performance when it comes to finishing,” he said.

“The one in the second half I ran from the halfway line and with Wan-Bissaka chasing me I tried to toe-poke it, but I was too far."

Despite being displeased with his own showing in front of goal, King feels that to win the way they did against a side like Manchester United will do wonders for the Hornets' confidence.

“We really needed that for our confidence and we know when we play our best football we can fight against any team in this league. When we are at our best and everyone gives 100 per cent, we are a tough team to beat," he said.

“The team performance was amazing today and we played brilliantly. We had to bounce back with a good result and we have to enjoy today and go again next week against Leicester.

“Beating Man United at home gives us confidence going into playing any team. We played them at a perfect time after an international break, they haven’t been together and we haven’t been together. We had to bounce back from the Arsenal defeat.”