Pre Match: Watford vs Liverpool, Sat 12th August 2017 K.O. 12:30

Well, so much for Phil....

Anfield HQ‏Verified account @AnfieldHQ
Philippe Coutinho is a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Watford after he once again missed training. (Dominic King)

I do hope Phil's "injury" is sorted out so that he can play for us again as soon as possible. 😐

As far as creativity goes - three seasons ago, when played further forward, Hendo  'outscored' Phil in both goals and assists. Gini too is very underrated in that respect - 6 goals and 9 assists from a deeper role [than Phil] ain't too shabby.

But... as much as I like and rate the kid; no one (and I do mean no one) will palm me off with the notion that young Woodburn is a viable replacement for the 'injured' Coutinho; not yet anyhow. 😕

We will have way, way, too much for these. For me, an easy three points. 😎

Some depends on how Watford approach the game. First home game of the season do they a) come out to play and impress their local support or b) sit in and resume operation bus park like most did to us last season.

If it's the latter, and if we don't get that early goal before they've organised themselves, I can see the pattern set similar to last season. If it's the former we'll boss this like our home fixture with them last season.

Not only will this game be about getting in front, it will also be about holding on to a lead - something else we were pretty woeful at last season, in all fairness. There was plenty of room left for improvement, let's hope we see a semblance of that at Vicarage rd on Sat'day.

I do hope Phil's "injury" is sorted out so that he can play for us again as soon as possible. 😐

I also hope his " injury" is only slight and he can make the team.

I trust his rehabilitation from "injury"  doesn't include a trip to El Llobregrat   airport.

A walk in the park for me. If we can't even beat these guys we don't deserve to be playing CL. Forget about the Hoff then.

I can see Watford parking the bus and their GK having a blinder. It's gonna be a difficult match, but with TAA, Moreno/Robertson, Mane and Salah, I do feel quite optimistic in us breaking down their defensive.

Personally think Milner would still start at Left Back. Slightly worried on Gray and Deeney bullying our back line, hope we come away with all 3 points

Bobby
Mane Salah
Can Hendo Gini
Milner Lovren Matip TAA
Migs

Subs- Karius, Moreno, Klavan, Grujic, Woodburn, Solanke, Origi

Personally think Milner would still start at Left Back. Slightly worried on Gray and Deeney bullying our back line, hope we come away with all 3 points

Bobby
Mane Salah
Can Hendo Gini
Milner Lovren Matip TAA
Migs

Subs- Karius, Moreno, Klavan, Grujic, Woodburn, Solanke, Origi

Moreno for LB based on pre season.

Moreno for LB based on pre season.

Robertson at LB based on him being better than Milner or Moreno.

We already have injury problems with Clyne/Cou/Sturridge/Lallana...

We need more players or we will suffer later.

              Migs
TAA   Matip   Lovren   Moreno
        Can   Hendo   Gini
     Salah   Bobby   Mane

Subs: Karius,Gomez,Klavan,Milner,Grujic,Woodburn,Solanke

The squad still looks a bit depleted and we certainly need to make a few signings. Should easily beat Watford though.

              Migs
TAA   Matip   Lovren   Moreno
        Can   Hendo   Gini
     Salah   Bobby   Mane

Subs: Karius,Gomez,Klavan,Milner,Grujic,Woodburn,Solanke

The squad still looks a bit depleted and we certainly need to make a few signings. Should easily beat Watford though.

Am we just made 3 new signing have you not heard?

Milner, Moreno and Kent.

Number 19 here we come!

Am we just made 3 new signing have you not heard?

Milner, Moreno and Kent.

Number 19 here we come!

Don't forget about Sturridge, Ings, and Bogdan!

So Sturridge and Coutinho set to miss this game. Great start for Daniel on 'it's only fatigue', unbelievable.

As for Coutinho, have to admit I'm slightly suspicious of that 'injury', although his odds have massively changed in our favour with the bookies so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one.

I'm reasonably sure that Jürgen will go with:

                            Migs
              TAA   Matip Lovren Moreno
                         Henderson
                      Can  Wijnaldum
                 Salah   Firmino  Mane

Not a fan of that midfield one little bit, happy enough with the rest but would change Migs for Karius if it were me choosing. The pressure will be on both Can and Wijnaldum to offer more than their ordinary run of the mill performances that they've served up in pre-season, Henderson the same, I've been far from impressed with any of our midfielders that aren't Grujic or Coutinho. Hopefully it was just tiredness and we'll see more with the freshness that Jürgen has talked about.

Watford v Liverpool (12:30 BST)

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Liverpool won here late last season thanks to an outstanding Emre Can goal, but I am probably going to go for a draw this time because Silva will make Watford hard to beat at Vicarage Road.

Expert my arse. Going for another derogatory LFC prediction. Did he ever play for us?

Liverpool won here late last season thanks to an outstanding Emre Can goal, but I am probably going to go for a draw this time because Silva will make Watford hard to beat at Vicarage Road.

Oh sh*t, I forgot that he was manager. He destroyed us when we went to Hull, 2-0? He will surely have his team set up to defend and counter. Gonna be a very difficult game.

Only 1 day to go.



Salah/Mane will be too much for them, even if they park the bus, we can bring Solanke on =)

Oh sh*t, I forgot that he was manager. He destroyed us when we went to Hull, 2-0? He will surely have his team set up to defend and counter. Gonna be a very difficult game.

Even more difficult with Bobby leading the line.

So what 'Liverpool supporting' c**t on twitter will be the first to leak the team news tonight?

Going for a narrow win, despite the unsettling Coutinho, transfer rumours. Hope the Reds come out firing on all cylinders, with a 2 1 win at Vicarage road.

If we lose this, I wonder how many of us are gonna blame Coutinho

If we lose this, I wonder how many of us are gonna blame Coutinho

Well to be fair, this can't be good for morale at the club. One reason why it was a crappy time for him to do this. Couldn't he have waited till after the first Hoffenheim tie?

Who arranged a football match during the transfer window ?

Can't F***ing wait, put the doom & gloom of the TC away for 90 mins...