Damon Savenelli previews Liverpool’s Premier League encounter with Watford.
The Hornets of Watford Football Club are preparing to take on an in-form Liverpool side. Win and the Reds will go top of the league, lose and well, we all know what will happen if Liverpool lose.
Today’s match-up can be considered a “trap game” for the Reds. In the past, Liverpool have had the tendency to perform brilliantly against some of England’s top clubs, but then go on to lose to England’s lesser teams.
With some of the older players in the divison amongst their ranks, Watford are the oldest team in the Premier League, but this has not slowed them down. Currently sitting seventh in the table, the Hornets are unbeaten in their last four matches and haven’t conceded in their last three. With wins against the likes of Manchester United and West Ham, Watford are a formidable opponent.
The Hornets have some decent attacking threats including Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo. They have completed a few deals this past summer, bringing in the likes of Roberto Pereyra. Nonetheless, Klopp’s men should hopefully be able to keep the Watford attack at bay.
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Focusing now on Liverpool, a win or draw will make it 12 games without a defeat in all competitions. A win will push the Reds to the top of the Premier League table, provided Arsenal don’t beat Spurs. Due to the fact that Manchester City drew with Middlesbrough 1-1, the top of the table is up for grabs.
Chelsea’s 5-0 victory on Saturday means that Chelsea are currently top of the table. Arsenal and Liverpool can go joint top if both clubs win on Sunday. Got all of that? This is the Premier League at its finest.
Coming off a thrilling 4-2 victory last weekend at Selhurst park, the Reds hope to continue their winning ways. Philippe Coutinho will look to play a part after recently winning Liverpool’s Player of the Month award for October thanks to some brilliant performances. Coutinho’s fellow countryman, Roberto Firmino will also look to play a part. With the Brazilian duo each in red hot form, the pair will look to lead the Reds attack.
Jurgen Klopp will have certainly sorted out his squad’s defence after a particularly shaky performance at Selhurst Park last week. With James Milner having recovered from his illness, expect the Englishman to be slotted into the left back spot once more. It will be interesting to see who Klopp decides to start in the midfield. Both fully fit, Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum will be competing to see who plays along Jordan Henderson. I expect Adam Lallana and Henderson to keep their spots in the middle of the park.
Starting XI prediction:
Liverpool: Karius, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
Watford: Gomes, Janmaat, Kaboul, Briotos, Amrabat, Pereyra, Behrami, Capoue, Holebas, Ighalo, Deeney
Score prediction:
Liverpool 3 (Lallana, Firmino, Mane) Watford 1 (Ighalo)