Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores felt Nathan Ake did nothing wrong when scoring his side's opening goal on Sunday.
The Dutch left-back, on loan from Chelsea, poked home from close range in the third minute of the Hornets' eventual 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Vicarage Road.
The goal came as Reds keeper Adam Bogdan failed to keep hold of a corner which allowed Ake to pick his pocket and get the home side off to the perfect start, prompting praise from his boss despite opposing manager Jurgen Klopp suggesting it should have been disallowed.
"The impression I have now is that the ball was live," said Flores, who saw Odion Ighalo score a brace to complete the win.
"Ake was very clever, because he was in the right position to claim the ball.
"He's always ready for everything and focused on the play."