Watford vs Liverpool Preview, Team News, Line-Ups, Betting Tips & Prediction

Liverpool kick off the new Premier League campaign with a trip to Vicarage Road to take on Watford on Saturday lunchtime. 

The game has been overshadowed with the news that Philippe Coutinho has handed in a transfer request as the Brazilian playmaker looks to force through a move to Barcelona.

Jurgen Klopp insists he won’t be sold this summer and the clubs’ owners issued a strong statement on the matter earlier today but it’s going to be interest to see how things develop over the coming days.

However, Klopp has more immediate things to worry about as he looks to get off to a winning start to the new season and it’s going to be a tricky test away to Watford this weekend.

Marco Silva was appointed as manager at the end of last season after an impressive six months at Hull City and he’ll be desperate to get off to a positive start in front of the home fans tomorrow.

Team news

Liverpool will be without Coutinho as the attacker is nursing an apparent back injury while Daniel Sturridge has also been ruled out with a minor thigh problem.

The duo join Adam Lallana on the sidelines with the midfielder expected to miss several weeks with a thigh injury and Nathaniel Clyne is also out with a back injury so Trent Alexander-Arnold will start at right-back.

Summer signing Mohamed Salah is set to make his competitive debut in attack while Dominic Solanke and Andy Robertson will also hope to see some game-time at some point following their moves this summer.

Watford will be without defender Craig Cathcart because of a knee injury while Christian Kabasele is out due to a hamstring problem. Mauro Zarate remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury.

Richarlison, Nathaniel Chalobah and Will Hughes are all pushing to make their debuts but Troy Deeney is a fitness doubt as he works his way back from injury.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Watford 1-2 Liverpool: The Reds have an excellent recent record against Watford having won their last three meetings while the Merseysiders have also won each of their last four opening day fixtures. I think this will be a tough game for Klopp’s side but they should have enough quality going forward to edge a narrow win.

Betting Tips

Liverpool are the 8/13 favourites with the bookmakers but we can get new customers enhanced odds of 25/1 on the visitors- just click here to take advantage of these crazy odds [winning paid in free bets, max stake £1, T&C’s apply]

Here are some other bets I like the look of:

• Both teams to score at: 4/5 – a £10 bet would return £18
• Exact score of 2-1 Liverpool win at: 7/1 – a £10 bet would return £80