Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is likely to field his strongest XI against Watford, despite an all-important fixture against PSG coming up.
Liverpool will make the trip to Vicarage Road this weekend, as they go head to head against Javi Gracia’s Watford FC in matchweek 13 of the 2018-19 Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are still unbeaten in the league and occupy the second spot in the table, with just two points separating them from leaders Manchester City.
A win against the Hornets on Saturday would allow the Reds to keep up the pace with the champions and should Pep Guardiola’s men slip up against West Ham United, Liverpool would jump to the top of the table.
In spite of the crucial fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League looming large, Klopp is likely to go into Saturday’s encounter with his best XI.
Alisson Becker is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the Reds and will certainly start at the Vicarage Road this weekend. Golden Boy award nominee Trent Alexander-Arnold should get the nod at right-back, while Andrew Robertson is a definite starter out on the left side of the backline.
Virgil van Dijk, coming in after having led Netherlands to the UEFA Nations League finals, will lead the defence for the Merseysiders. And he is likely to be paired up with England international Joe Gomez at the heart of the backline, ahead of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
Liverpool have been boosted by the return of club captain Jordan Henderson. The midfielder returned early from international duty for England with an injury, but has recovered quickly and will be available for selection on Sunday, Klopp confirmed.
However, fellow midfielder Adam Lallana is set to miss out with a minor injury problem, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a long-term absentee.
“[Jordan] is ready to play, that is all. In the moment it looks like we have pretty much a full squad – [although] there are the long-term injuries, of course,” Klopp said in his pre-match presser. “Adam Lallana has a minor thing that makes him unavailable for the weekend, but all the rest came back healthy from the internationals, which is brilliant,” he added.
Despite Henderson’s return to fitness, he is unlikely to feature from the get go on Saturday. Klopp is likely to go in with the duo of James Milner and Fabinho in the two pivot positions in the middle owing to their freshness, meaning Georginio Wijnaldum misses out as well.
Xherdan Shaqiri has been a shrewd purchase for the Reds and should continue out on the right flank on Saturday, while Sadio Mane will look to celebrate his new contract with a match-winning display starting on the left side.
Roberto Firmino has four goals and three assists in his last five league appearances against Watford and should start in the No.10 role against the Hornets. Star attacker Mohamed Salah should spearhead the attack ahead of Daniel Sturridge.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is likely to field his strongest XI against Watford, despite an all-important fixture against PSG coming up.
Liverpool will make the trip to Vicarage Road this weekend, as they go head to head against Javi Gracia’s Watford FC in matchweek 13 of the 2018-19 Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are still unbeaten in the league and occupy the second spot in the table, with just two points separating them from leaders Manchester City.
A win against the Hornets on Saturday would allow the Reds to keep up the pace with the champions and should Pep Guardiola’s men slip up against West Ham United, Liverpool would jump to the top of the table.
In spite of the crucial fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League looming large, Klopp is likely to go into Saturday’s encounter with his best XI.
Alisson Becker is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the Reds and will certainly start at the Vicarage Road this weekend. Golden Boy award nominee Trent Alexander-Arnold should get the nod at right-back, while Andrew Robertson is a definite starter out on the left side of the backline.
Virgil van Dijk, coming in after having led Netherlands to the UEFA Nations League finals, will lead the defence for the Merseysiders. And he is likely to be paired up with England international Joe Gomez at the heart of the backline, ahead of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
Liverpool have been boosted by the return of club captain Jordan Henderson. The midfielder returned early from international duty for England with an injury, but has recovered quickly and will be available for selection on Sunday, Klopp confirmed.
However, fellow midfielder Adam Lallana is set to miss out with a minor injury problem, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a long-term absentee.
“[Jordan] is ready to play, that is all. In the moment it looks like we have pretty much a full squad – [although] there are the long-term injuries, of course,” Klopp said in his pre-match presser. “Adam Lallana has a minor thing that makes him unavailable for the weekend, but all the rest came back healthy from the internationals, which is brilliant,” he added.
Despite Henderson’s return to fitness, he is unlikely to feature from the get go on Saturday. Klopp is likely to go in with the duo of James Milner and Fabinho in the two pivot positions in the middle owing to their freshness, meaning Georginio Wijnaldum misses out as well.
Xherdan Shaqiri has been a shrewd purchase for the Reds and should continue out on the right flank on Saturday, while Sadio Mane will look to celebrate his new contract with a match-winning display starting on the left side.
Roberto Firmino has four goals and three assists in his last five league appearances against Watford and should start in the No.10 role against the Hornets. Star attacker Mohamed Salah should spearhead the attack ahead of Daniel Sturridge.