Predicted Liverpool team to face Watford: Klopp poised for big Alexander-Arnold call
After a strong run of form, the predicted Liverpool team to face Watford could see Jurgen Klopp make a big call over star player Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Klopp’s side have been in a good vein of form in all competitions of late. Indeed, they have won three games on the spin, and despite a loss prior to that, moved on to the next round of the Champions League.
Liverpool‘s last game saw them avoid a giant killing, when they beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the FA Cup.
The Reds’ last two league games have seen them prevail over Brighton and Arsenal, both by two goals to nil. Furthermore, they are now just one point behind leaders Manchester City.
Continuing good form and keeping pace with City will be imperative.
As such, Klopp has a big decision to make over Alexander-Arnold, whose hamstring injury – which was expected to keep him out for weeks – has healed in time for a return shortly after the international break.
Klopp confirmed that Alexander-Arnold will return to team training on Friday. It will nevertheless be a “tight” call over the clash for the Hornets.
The Englishman stepped up his recovery by travelling to Dubai during the international break. Klopp also said that the England star’s work with the Reds’ fitness and rehabilitation team has been “intense”.
Given Liverpool have two big games coming up in the Champions League – and then a big table-topping clash with Manchester City – Alexander-Arnold may not be risked just yet.
Last time out – Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool made a host of changes for the FA Cup tie. Alisson Becker started in goal, and the full-backs were Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas.
Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk formed the partnership in the heart of the defence.
The midfield trio were Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho and Naby Keita.
Diogo Jota – who scored the only goal of the game – was utilised alongside Roberto Firmino and Harvey Elliott in the forward line.
Predicted Liverpool team against Watford
Caoimhin Kelleher could start in goal. Alisson played two 90-minute stints for Brazil during the international break, the second on Thursday night in Bolivia.
The big decision is at right-back, and given the importance of Liverpool’s next few games, Gomez could play there.
In the absence of Alexander-Arnold, it is either Gomez or James Milner and Gomez has the pace over his colleague to handle the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis in the Watford attack.
Andy Robertson will start at left-back in place of Tsimikas. The 28-year-old recently tested positive for coronavirus but played for Scotland on Tuesday.
Van Dijk and Joel Matip – Klopp’s preferred centre-back partnership – may play at the back, and contend with the pace and power of Watford’s front line.
The three in midfield is likely to change from the FA Cup tie. Jordan Henderson could play alongside Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The latter two were not on international duty, unlike Fabinho – who was in Bolivia with Alisson.
The front three is likely to be a strong one, and it could see Roberto Firmino play through the middle, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane either side of him.
Firmino had a rest over the international break, but Diogo Jota was involved for Portugal.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Gomez; Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane
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