Liverpool vs Watford
Date: 14/12/2019
K/O: 12.30
Venue: Anfield
Referee: Andre Marriner
It is top vs bottom on Saturday lunchtime as Liverpool entertain Watford in another key match for both teams.
The Reds come into this after three of their better displays of the campaign thus far. Comprehensive victories over Everton and Bournemouth preceded a vital 2-0 win over Salzburg to cement their status as Champions League Group E winners. Two consecutive clean sheets will give Jurgen Klopp further reason for cheer.
Watford also have reason for positivity despite an abysmal start to their season. New manager Nigel Pearson sees his side six points from safety but will have been buoyed by an improved performance against Crystal Palace last time out as he watched on from the stands.
A battling 0-0 draw showed that his charges will have the stomach for a relegation dogfight. However, Pearson could not have asked for a tougher test for the runaway leaders at the top of the table and knows that results in these matches will not determine the Hornets’ status at the end of the Premier League season.
The recent record between these is heavily in Liverpool’s favour, with the Merseysiders winning the last three matches between the two sides by an aggregate scoreline of 13-0. Watford’s last two matches at Anfield have ended in thumping 5-0 defeats, and the one before that 6-1. Given the form of both teams, the visitors will do well to avoid a similar scoreline.
Watford know that scoring is essential in order to gain anything from this fixture. Keeping the Reds scoreless at Anfield is a very thankless task. Liverpool have looked dodgy at the back this season, and Troy Deeney will fancy his chances against Joe Gomez, who has looked suspect in his infrequent appearances this campaign.
Team News
Liverpool will likely have to return to the defensive partnership that started last year’s campaign so well – with Joe Gomez joining Virgil van Dijk at the back. The biggest selection headache for Klopp comes in midfield. Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita are all hitting top form at the same time, which could mean James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum miss out. With their trip to Qatar and the World Club Championship coming up, do not be surprised if at least one of Liverpool’s front three are rested. Both Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri were in excellent form at Everton in their last starts for the club.
Watford are also missing a host of stars. Danny Welbeck, Sebastian Prodl, Tom Cleverley and Jose Holebas have all been ruled out, while defenders Craig Dawson and Daryl Janmaat are also doubts for Pearson in his first match in the dugout.
Predicted Starting XIs
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita; Salah, Origi, Mane
Watford: Foster; Femenia, Kabasele, Cathcart, Masina; Sarr, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes; Deulofeu; Deeney
Prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Watford
It is hard to bet against a Liverpool victory these days, and given they are playing the team at the foot of the Premier League table, Saturday afternoon has an air of inevitability about it. However, new manager syndrome has a funny way of working its magic, so maybe, just maybe, Nigel Pearson can work some of his magic and really throw the cat amongst the pigeons. Probably not, though.
