Watford have won just five of the 26 clashes between the two teams in history, with the 3-0 win at Vicarage Road last Christmas their biggest ever victory over the Reds and the first this century, but the Hornets have only ever won once at Anfield in 12 attempts, with Tommy Mooney scoring the winner in August 1999.
Recent Form
Liverpool are unbeaten in 11, dating back to their defeat to Burnley in only the second game of the season, and will be looking to extend that run at Anfield on Saturday to make it four consecutive wins in all competitions. Having seen off Crystal Palace and West Brom in the past fortnight, Watford may represent a similar test, and that has presented no challenge to the Reds. Their weakness though comes in that they have kept just one clean sheet to date in the Premier League this season.
Watford are on a superb run of their own, with onlUnbeaten in four, three consecutive clean sheets, one defeat since august
Predicted Line-Ups
Liverpool predicted starting XI Watfordpredicted starting XI
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Jurgen Klopp will have a major decision to make at left back, with James Milner returning to training in time to be fit after missing out on the clash at Crystal Palace with illness, but Alberto Moreno playing well last weekend. Klopp is likely to stick with Moreno as he would struggle to justify dropping him based on the vast improvements in his display last weekend, in what will be an unchanged line-up with Georgino Wijnaldum still on the bench as Emre Can gets his first run in the team of the season.
Walter Mazzarri will likely return to the 5-3-2 formation which worked so effectively against Manchester United as the Hornets prepare for a counter attacking display at Anfield with Nordin Amrabat likely to be the midfielder to be sacrificed. Camilo Zuniga is likely to get the nod over Daryl Janmaat at right back with Mazzarri expected to name an otherwise unchanged line-up identical to the one which drew with Swansea a fortnight ago.
Suspensions and Injuries
Danny Ings is the only fresh injury concern for Jurgen Klopp as he faces surgery on his second serious knee injury in two years at Anfield, having only recently returned from his first. Sheyi Ojo and Joe Gomez are both back in training after serious injuries but are unlikely to play any part as they continue to build up fitness.
Watford will be missing a number of important players as Craig Cathcart is unlikely to figure as he recovers from a hernia, whilst young sensation Isaac Success’ hamstring strain will mean he will be out for another week or two before making a comeback. Kenedy, Stefano Okaka and Brice Dja Djdedje are out with long term injuries.
Our Prediction
This could be a real test for the Reds up against a team who have shown their defensive abilities. That said, the Liverpool side of this season have shown that they can rise to such a challenge, and they will certainly have to do so if they are to put an end to Watford’s superb form to secure what we predict; a Liverpool win.
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