Watford vs Liverpool - as it happened! Miguel Britos denies Reds perfect start to new season
Relive the action at Vicarage Road minute-by-minute
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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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.
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.
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)
3' - A loose clearance from Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes lands at the feet of Sadio Mane.
The winger attempts to loft a ball through to Mo Salah but the pass is cut out.
5' - Sadio Mane loses the ball deep inside his own half as Daryl Janmaat dispossesses him.
However, the Watford full-back can't find a teammate with his cross from the right wing.
GOAL! Watford 1-0 Liverpool (Okaka)
8' - The first big chance of the game falls to Watford's Roberto Pereyra as his deflected shot goes out for a corner after good work from Stefano Okaka.
From the resulting corner, Okaka finds himself unmarked in the penalty area and bullets home a header to give the hosts an early lead!
13' - Nordin Amrabat drifts offside as Watford threaten again.
Liverpool have struggled to create anything of note here and we're almost a third of the way through the first half.
15' - A short injury time-out here as Daryl Janmaat receives treatment for a leg injury.
He limps back on a couple of minutes later but looks to be struggling and it doesn't look like he'll be able to carry on.
The Watford fans show they've got a sense of humour as they goad Liverpool's supporters by chanting "where is Coutinho?"
The Reds could probably do with him right now.
GOAL! Watford 1-1 Liverpool (Mane)
29' - Sublime equaliser and it's all about Sadio Mane.
The Senegalese plays one-twos with Alberto Moreno and Emre Can before bending a right-footed finish past Heurelho Gomes and into the top corner.
World class from the Senegal international.
GOAL! Watford 2-1 Liverpool (Doucoure)
32' - Liverpool weren't level for long.
More poor defending from the Reds allows Abdoulae Doucoure to sweep the ball into an empty net from six yards.
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