The Premier League season is set to resume this weekend following two weeks of international football and Liverpool, being the only unbeaten outfit of the competition, would travel to Vicarage Road to lock horns with Watford in a Saturday early kick-off fixture. The Hornets have troubled the Reds time and again in the recent past and the absence of an array of key individuals would make the test sterner for the Merseysiders.
Xisco Munoz was dismissed during the break to be succeeded by ‘tinkerman’ Claudio Ranieri as the new Watford chief. The Italian shook the world by clinching Premier League glory with Leicester City and his return might prove decisive in their battle to stay up in the top-flight of the English pyramid.
Predicted 4-3-3 Liverpool Lineup To Face Watford
Defence
Alisson Becker is currently representing Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers and won’t be available for this Saturday lunchtime contest. Caoimhin Kelleher has impressed as a sweeper-keeper in limited opportunities and is expected to get the nod ahead of Adrian between the sticks.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in team training recovering from a groin injury. The Englishman is likely to replace James Milner on the right, whereas left fullback Andrew Robertson should keep his place despite the emergence of Kostas Tsimikas. Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk have been the preferred central defensive pairing so far this term and the gaffer should stick with the duo for this tricky encounter on the road.
Midfield
Similar to Alisson, Fabinho would be unavailable for the Watford game. Thiago Alcântara is facing a race against time to be fit, whereas Harvey Elliott remains the long-term absentee after a horrific leg injury picked up versus Leeds. Skipper Jordan Henderson and young Curtis Jones should keep hold of their respective midfield roles. Also, the experience and versatility of Milner might be utilized in the ‘number 6’ spot due to Fabinho’s absence. Henderson and Milner might switch their positions as well if the situation demands. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain the other options who might get introduced at some stage late in the match.
Attack
Diogo Jota returned early from his international duty with a muscle strain but has trained normally this week ahead of clashing heads with the Hornets. The Portuguese would operate as a ‘False 9’ and the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah must feature from their respective wide attacking roles. Salah is in astounding form across competitions and his grit and determination might cause menace in Watford defence from the right-hand flank. Roberto Firmino, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi would be there among the substitutes with a view to make an impact in limited minutes.
