Watford vs Liverpool
Date: 24/11/2018
KO: 15.00
Venue: Vicarage Road
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Watford struggled to produce on the pitch heading into the international break and face a rampant Liverpool side who defeated them 5-0 back in March.
Coming into game week 13, Watford are off to their best start ever in the Premier League. Currently, the Golden Boys are 7th in the league table on 20 points. Whilst their performances on the pitch have been a welcome sight for supporters, the lack of goals as of late continues to be worrisome. Just a single goal on trips to Newcastle and Southampton saw the Hornets struggle for shots on target, whilst their opponents have proved to be more clinical in recent weeks.
Liverpool continue to match Manchester City, as the Reds are just two points off the top spot. Their game week 11 draw at the Emirates, against Arsenal, remaining the difference. While they aren’t putting teams away like City, Jurgen Klopp’s team have put the clamps on this season, conceding just five goals over the first 12 games of the season, a difference when compared to last season, conceding 17 goals at this point.
The Hornets can take solace in knowing they played well against Liverpool in last year’s opening fixtures, which saw a 90th-minute goal from Miguel Britos to draw the Golden Boys level, resulting in a 3-3 draw at home. Near the end of the season, with Watford struggling and out of form, Liverpool, behind Mo Salah’s four goal performance, put the screw to them 5-0. This game will be important for both clubs, as the Hornets look to rebound from some sub par performances and Liverpool seek to sniff the top spot in the Premier League.
Team News
Watford
Heading into this fixture, the fitness of Will Hughes (thigh) is still a concern. He was spotted in training ahead of Saturday’s fixture but there is some concern that he won’t be available this weekend. Daryl Janmaat (knee) is also back training with the club but is still working up to match fitness. It is likely neither will be available for the visit from Liverpool.
Javi Gracia has been excellent at managing personnel this season. Returning from injury and building up game fitness, Gerard Deulofeu has seen his minutes managed but has been one of the best looking Hornets on the pitch in the last three games. Since his return, the Spaniard has netted just once, but has drive and determination playing out of position as a centre-forward.
If Hughes is unavailable, we could see Troy Deeney and Andre Gray partner up top, as Deulofeu could move back to the right flank. While he’s been outstanding in a central role, no doubt Gracia will give him the freedom (like he did with Hughes) to come into a central role, where he’d been most dangerous.
Defensively it was tough to shoulder the 1-0 loss to Newcastle, coming from a quick-hitting set piece just outside the 18-yard box. The team outplayed the Magpies, but were unlucky to walk away with nothing. It wasn’t much different against the Saints, as the defence played well, but failure to clear a ball led to a shot inside the 6-yard box that was unstoppable. All told, Watford have surrendered just two goals in their last four games, but face another tough test this weekend.
Liverpool
Liverpool are known for their quality midfielders this season but will arrive at Vicarage Road with a near fully fit squad, including Jordan Henderson who has been passed fit for the game on Saturday. Adam Lallana is set to miss out from the match-day squad, and with a midweek Champions League fixture looming, Klopp may shuffle his pack with Naby Keita returning to full fitness to boost the Reds midfield.
The play of new boy Xherdan Shaqiri has been excellent, posting attacking returns in three of the Reds last four games. However he’s been limited to just two starts in recent games, but continues to make his presence known when on the pitch. All eyes, however, will be on Mo Salah, who feasted on Watford last season with six goals and two assists over two games.
While Liverpool have conceded just five goals this season, three of those goals have come in the last four games; three of which have been wins. The addition of Alisson Becker in goal this season has really solidified the Reds defence, whilst Virgil van Dijk returning from a great international showing anchors the defensive line. The pace and attacking abilities of Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have tormented defenses all season long, and Klopp will be hopeful that will continue against Watford, despite suggesting in his pre-match press conference that Robertson could be rested after two intense games with the Scottish national side.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Watford (4-4-2): Foster; Holebas, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenia; Pereyra, Capoue, Doucoure, Deulofeu; Deeney, Gray
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Robertson, van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Mane, Firmino, Shaqiri; Salah
Prediction: Watford 0 Liverpool 3
While Watford have made a “golden” start to the season, there is a concern over their finishing. Against a defensively strong team like Liverpool, it is likely we will see their attacking opportunities limited. Defensively, Watford have been much improved, but Liverpool’s swift counter-attacking abilities could be too much for Gracia’s side on Saturday.
