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As it happenedended

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Watford vs Liverpool - as it happened! Miguel Britos denies Reds perfect start to new season

Relive the action at Vicarage Road minute-by-minute

Friday 11 August 2017 14:48 BST

(Getty)

Liverpool will be looking to jump feet first into this season to let their fans know they’re ready for the Champions League. This season is their first in Europe’s top flight since that disappointing stint in 2014 which saw them exit at the group stages.

With Philippe Coutinho’s future in doubt, Jurgen Klopp will be no doubt eager to see how the rest of his squad are performing potentially without their playmaker.

Watford will be operating at a different end of the table to Liverpool this season. While Liverpool will be competing to retain their place in Champions League football, Watford will be looking to avoid the sort of late decline that saw them drop towards the relegation zone last season.

Five Liverpool alternatives to Naby Keita

Show all 5

1/5Five Liverpool alternatives to Naby Keita

Five Liverpool alternatives to Naby Keita

Johannes Geis (Schalke 04)

Often an unsung hero in Schalke’s engine room, Geis would provide Liverpool’s midfield with some much-needed steel. The 23-year-old managed just a single goal throughout the whole of last season, however that statistic is not overly concerning, with his qualities lying in having the ability to break up play and re-distribute the ball accordingly, as well as from dead ball situations. Klopp has evidently targeted the German market in his bid to reinforce his midfield, and there are few better midfielders with a superior passing repertoire than the former Mainz man, who had a pass accuracy of 79 per cent last season, sometimes as a sole defensive midfielder.

Bongarts/Getty Images

Five Liverpool alternatives to Naby Keita

Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid)

Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic has become nothing more than a bit-part player at Real Madrid due to the excellence of Toni Kroos and fellow countryman Luka Modric. The midfielder, who started just 19 games last season, has been able to deliver long-range passes accurately since his Inter Milan days, and has developed his defensive game well when covering for Modric in the Real Madrid set up. Deployed in several positions in Italy, Kovacic is now attempting to establish himself as a deep-lying playmaker, which would make him a suitable option for Liverpool. The Croatian is in desperate need of a move away, and despite interest from Tottenham, Klopp should not hesitate to get his career back on track.

Getty Images

Five Liverpool alternatives to Naby Keita

Grzegorz Krychowiak (PSG)

Purchased for a substantial fee last summer from Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Krychowiak has endured a frustrating stint in the French capital. Much like Geis but with a greater physical presence than the German, the Polish midfielder thrives when positioned to challenge and recover the ball in central areas. The stature of the players in the midfields of Liverpool’s title competitors makes the Pole an increasingly attractive option, using his height to win over two aerial duels per game last season. Krychowiak is equally as astute having retrieved the ball, achieving a 92 per cent pass rate last season. The Polish international has been left out of the PSG squad for their pre-season tour, and would therefore not bring about the stalemate that the Merseyside club are currently experiencing with Leipzig.

AFP/Getty Images

Five Liverpool alternatives to Naby Keita

Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04)

Goretzka has been heavily linked with Bayern Munich this summer, and his performances last season attracted the attention of suitors in England too. At 6ft 2in, the 22-year-old’s physique has seen him dominate midfield battles, with commensurate tireless work ethic to match. However, if the Confederations Cup was anything to go by, it is potentially the creative side of his game that will most appeal to Klopp. The German drives often from deep, and his five goals last season in addition to the three he bagged in the Confederations Cup demonstrates his ability to score goals from central midfield. Also able to play as an attacking midfielder, the three assists he picked up last season for his club do not reflect his true natural passing qualities. Goretzka, who undoubtedly possess the potential to become a complete midfielder, will be hot property if, as expected, he decides to leave Schalke in the near future.

Bongarts/Getty Images

Five Liverpool alternatives to Naby Keita

Jean Michael Seri (Nice)

One of the most coveted midfielders in Europe this season, Jean Seri’s significant role in Nice’s Ligue 1 winning side has drawn interest from Roma, Barcelona, Arsenal and Tottenham. Much like Goretzka, Seri is equally as likely to control the tempo of the match with his wide passing range as he is to maraud forward and create openings with his superb dribbling. His return of ten assists and seven goals last season is superior to the 22-year-old German’s, but the transitional aspect to his play is what has made him so highly coveted, looking equally as assured in shielding the ball under pressure in his own half as he is trying to unlock the opposition’s defence. With a price tag of €40m well within Liverpool’s financial means, Seri could represent the best value for money for Klopp.

AFP/Getty Images

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What time does it start and where can I watch it?

Liverpool vs Watford kicks off at 12:30 on Saturday 12 August and coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event from 11:30. Highlights will be shown on BBC One’s Match of the Day from 22:30 later on Saturday.

It’s a big game for…

New Watford manager Marco Silva. This will be his first Premier League game in charge for Watford and after the Hornets' disappointing end to last season, which saw the club go through the entirety of May without picking up a point, he’ll be hoping to make a solid start to put those nerves to rest.

Marco Silva is looking to impress with Watford (Getty)

Best stat…

3- The amount of points Watford took from their last 8 Premier League games

Remember when…

Emre Can scored that impossible bicycle kick against Watford last season? Check it out below

Player to watch…

Mohammed Salah. Ex Roma and Ex Chelsea player Mohammed Salah has been Liverpool’s headline signing this summer. Salah was involved with 26 goals in 29 games in Serie A last year, and with Coutinho’s future looking increasingly in doubt, Liverpool fans could be looking to him for their goals.

Salah in training at Liverpool (Getty)

Past three-meetings…

Liverpool 1 (Can) Watford 0, Premier League, May 2017

Liverpool 6 (Mane, Coutinho, Can, Firminho, Mane, Wijnaldum) Watford 1 (Janmaat), Premier League, November 2016.

Liverpool 2 (Allen, Firmino) Watford 0, Premier League, May 2016

Form guide…

Liverpool: WLWDWW

Watford: LLLLLL

Odds…

Liverpool to win: 11/20

Watford to win: 5/1

Draw: 3/1

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Watford vs Liverpool from Vicarage Road.

With Philippe Coutinho's future dominating the lead-up to this game, can the Reds keep their focus against a Watford side who will have new manager Marco Silva in the dugout for the first time, with a plethora of new signings on the pitch.

Join us for all the build up to the first lunchtime kick off of the new Premier League season!

Jack Austin12 August 2017 11:36

Jamie Carragher admits he is "surprised" Philippe Coutinho has handed in a transfer request but still does not believe Liverpool will let the player leave this summer.

READ MORE:

There's 'no way' Liverpool can sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, insists Jamie Carragher

Jack Austin12 August 2017 11:46

Jurgen Klopp has hinted that Liverpool will not let Philippe Coutinho leave the club to join Barcelona because it is too late in the transfer window to replace him. The Reds have so far rejected two approaches from the La Liga giants for the playmaker and were forced to release a statement on Friday morning insisting they would not let Coutinho leave the club.

READ MORE:

Jurgen Klopp hints Liverpool may have sold Philippe Coutinho earlier in summer

Jack Austin12 August 2017 11:55

Lionel Messi could sell for €300m, says Jurgen Klopp

Jack Austin12 August 2017 12:05

Countdown to kick-off

We're less than half an hour away from kick-off in the second Premier League game of the season.

Here is how the two teams line up today:

Watford XI: Gomes, Janmaat, Kaboul, Holebas, Britos, Amrabat, Cleverley, Chalobah, Doucoure, Pereyra, Okaka

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Can, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Salah, Mane, Firmino

Ed Malyon12 August 2017 12:05

What do the bookies reckon?

Liverpool are overwhelming favourites to win this one. The Reds can be backed at 4/7, with the draw available at 10/3 and a Watford win looking good value at 6/1.

Ed Malyon12 August 2017 12:10

Liverpool are standing firm and “100 per cent” determined to keep Philippe Coutinho at the club this summer, despite the player’s emailed transfer request as he seeks a move to Barcelona, who also see Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen as an ideal alternative.

READ MORE:

Liverpool firm on Philippe Coutinho's transfer request as Barca eye Christian Eriksen as alternative

Jack Austin12 August 2017 12:15

Redknapp excited by Salah

Jamie Redknapp has high hopes for Liverpool's record signing, the Egyptian Mo Salah.

"I think he'll be great for Liverpool. I think he's a good signing. He wasn't playing at Chelsea, that's why he was lacking confidence. We're going to see a different player now."

Quotes from Sky Sports

Ed Malyon12 August 2017 12:21

Watford vs Liverpool H2H

This is how the last five meetings between these two teams have panned out:

Watford 0-1 Liverpool (May 2017)
Liverpool 6-1 Watford (November 2016)
Liverpool 2-0 Watford (May 2016)
Watford 3-0 Liverpool (December 2015)
Watford 0-3 Liverpool (January 2007)

Ed Malyon12 August 2017 12:28

1' - We're underway at Vicarage Road!

Ed Malyon12 August 2017 12:30

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