Liverpool play Watford at Anfield in the Premier League’s early game this Saturday. We’ve had a look at what Jurgen Klopp’s starting lineup might be for this game.
After finishing first in their Champions League group during the week, The Reds will want to make it 8 consecutive league wins thus maintaining an 8-point lead over nearest rivals Leicester City.
Fabinho and Nathaniel Clyne are the only players currently out with long-term injuries. Both are expected to return to full training in the new year. It could be February before Clyne is back.
Joel Matip is also unavailable for the Watford game. However, he should be back a couple of weeks ahead of Fabinho.
Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana are two more short-term injury concerns. Both players will undergo late fitness tests this week. It’s unlikely Lovren will be risked against Watford. The centre-half was forced off through injury against Bournemouth and RB Salzburg within the last week.
In place of Lovren, Joe Gomez should start in central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.
I think we’ll see a midfield triumvirate of Gini Wijnaldum at the base with James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of him. This will give Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita some well-earned rest after their performances in Austria during the week.
The forward line should be at full strength. This means Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané could start. After all, it is Liverpool’s last Premier League game until Boxing Day when they visit Leicester City.
Predicted Liverpool lineup (4-3-3) Vs Watford: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mané
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