Stirring the Hornets Nest: Watford vs. Liverpool

I know it's kind of early and I don't exactly boast an enviable record in making match-day threads, but I'm doing it nevertheless   .

Watford are currently two places and one points above Liverpool. They won three games on a row and in Odion Ighalo they have player who have scored the same amount of goals Coutinho, Benteke and Firmino did together. How good are Watford in set-pieces??? I'm genuinely worried.

However, we will have a week to prepare. Also, we will be playing away, which means Watford will be adventurous and there will be space for our forwards to operate/exploit. Lovren is out for few weeks but for a change, we have an even better player to take his place. Benteke and Firmino are currently going neck to neck in being awful and at least one of them will start. I think we will play three CM; Lucas, Henderson and Emre while up top, it's Coutinho-Lallana behind either Benteke or Firmino.

Bad feeling about this one, If we dont start winning we are going to languish in midtable until Klopps gets new players. Klopp needs to realize this current crop of players are just above average and need enough tweaks.

Season feels like shit when you're stuck in midtable all season.

We have to win this one.

Pretty much every away game is tough. But we're at a point where we need to start winning more games or the CL dream can be buried.

Klopp has said he's not interested in buying players, supposedly. Unlike some people here he thinks the players he has are very good and wants to work with them.

Then again the talent evaluators on this board really know a thing or two so maybe Klopp should be talking to them.

Either way, this is a game we need to win. It's time to get back on the winning track and even though Watford has not been an easy task this season there's really no reason we can't win this one.


Is what I'd like to see.

What's the latest on Sakho? I think the Finnish commentator said in the West Brom game that Sakho is close to coming back, might even play against Watford? I'm not sure if I remember it right.

I'd play Curt's team but keep Benteke up front.

Curtinho wrote:Klopp has said he's not interested in buying players, supposedly. Unlike some people here he thinks the players he has are very good and wants to work with them.

Don't be naive. He's never gonna come out and say he has shit players. Who would ever do that?

We'll buy improvements on many of the players that are currently starters in the summer.

2 men upfront, Defenses have forgotten to deal with that. Leicester doing well with same tactic.

Origi and Benteke upfront. Last time we scored 6 with Sturridge and Origi upfront.

Yes, I also think a two-man attack on top of a diamond midfield could be the way.

Milner is injured. Sakho will start along side Skrtel.

Great if Sakho is back.

I miss playing on Saturdays

Feels like we've hardly ever had Saturday games this season, due to the EL.

With the form we are in, Your avatar suits the scenario.

Don't call me James wrote:

Curtinho wrote:Klopp has said he's not interested in buying players, supposedly. Unlike some people here he thinks the players he has are very good and wants to work with them.

Don't be naive. He's never gonna come out and say he has shit players. Who would ever do that?

We'll buy improvements on many of the players that are currently starters in the summer.

I doubt it. He won't say that because he knows it isn't true. We don't really need a lot of upgrades tbh...maybe 3 starters should really be improved on a reliable striker (or just getting Sturridge/Benteke healthy and consistent playing time), an additional central midfielder to play with Henderson and Lucas, and a centreback to replace Skrtel (though I still think Lovren/Sakho could be the way to go moving forward as Lovren has been great under Klopp).

I guess I forgot the keeper but everyone knows that Mignolet is shit.

Way too much criticism of this team's personnell when it's really not that bad and certainly good enough to make top 4 at this point.

iftikhar wrote:Yes, I also think a two-man attack on top of a diamond midfield could be the way.

I love the diamond, and two striker formations, to be honest. I feel like we need them more.

I would love to see a rotation of a two striker system though with Sturridge/Firmino/Origi/Benteke playing up front Coutinho/Lallana playing behind them with Henderson and Can/Milner on the side and Lucas behind them.

Though I think the team could be successful with a flat 4 - 4 - 2 as well to be honest. Henderson - Lucas centrally and then guys like Lallana, Coutinho, Ibe, Milner, etc. playing wide.

Anyway just hope we can get a win on this one to go into Christmas with.

I don't have much hope of us winning this or any game tbh. we are as inconsistent now as we were under Rodgers. people saying the squad is not that good. I agree the squad is not good enough to win the champions lge or prem lge. but when people are saying we need investment to beat teams like palace. west brom and Newcastle after spending over 100mil then something is badly wrong imo.

Unique wrote: I agree the squad is not good enough to win the champions lge or prem lge. but when people are saying we need investment to beat teams like palace. west brom and Newcastle after spending over 100mil then something is badly wrong imo.

agree. What we must take into account is relative lack of experience and also transition phase which the whole club is going through. This is the phase where nothing is in concrete and players and manager have to adopt the trial and error method to develop a ideal gameplan which can be used as template. Regarding losing to lesser teams Man city and Manu and Chelsea also have struggled against lesser opponents and they have much more better teams than Liverpool. It does sound cliche and repetitive but u need to give it some time.
Now against Liverpool at Anfield teams are going to PTB especially so called lesser teams and Klopp has to find solution for it either buy someone in midfield or create one from the likes of Can. Don't know why but always think Matuidi will be very gud buy for Liverpool.

Blame Rodgers for that, We can't do it clearly right now. Hopefully Klopp can get us going by January.

Must win.

We're not playing at Anfield so it's 3 points in the bag. Hopefully Benteke and Firminho don't play together because they disrupt each other to the point that it's actually painful to watch.

Must capitalize on United's loss. 3 points will bring us within 2 points of top 4.

When did we recruit futbol?

^ The day we were linked to Alex Song by the Mirror.


Nervous about this game, Watford have been one stubborn side. I watched United get a lucky 2-1 win here a month ago and it would be just so bloody typical if we played better than them but still lost or drew.

Pls. I'm a life long Liverpool supporter since 13/14. #nogloryhunter

Bogdan, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Henderson, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino

Apparently Mig has a hamstring strain, so Bogdan starts. Good to see him get a PL start anyway.

Sakho's back

And interesting that Benteke benched for Firmino up top and two playmakers Coutinho and Lallana both start.

Let's go do this!

Happy with that.

So happy with Sakho being back.

Also glad Milner is nowhere to be seen. About time. Mignolet needs this break, he's been worse as of late, even more so than usual.

The good thing is if Bogdan performs good, Klopp just might keep him for few more games.
Milner finally dropped
Can and Henderson both will try to do a little more than cross the ball.