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)
38' - It's not been a debut to remember so far for Mo Salah.
After an anonymous 37 minutes the ball breaks to him inside the penalty area but he stabs a left-footed shot well over when he really should be scoring.
45+3' - Sadio Mane comes close to equalising for Liverpool but his glanced header goes just wide of Heurelho Gomes' right-hand post.
HT - Referee Anthony Taylor brings the first half to a close.
Jurgen Klopp's team talk should be, erm, interesting.
49' - Mo Salah digs out a left-footed shot from just outside the area but it curls harmlessly wide.
49' - Another injury blow for Watford is Roberto Pereyra is replaced by new signing Richarlison.
53' - Nordin Amrabat clumsily gives the ball to Sadio Mane in a dangerous area but the Sengalese can't find a teammate with his cross.
GOAL! Watford 2-2 Liverpool (Firmino, pen)
55' - Roberto Firmino levels the game up from the spot after a foul on Mo Salah by Heurelho Gomes.
A clinical penalty into the bottom left corner from the Brazilian.
GOAL! Watford 2-3 Liverpool (Salah)
57' - A debut goal for Mo Salah as he stabs the ball into an empty net after Roberto Firmino had chipped the onrushing Heurelho Gomes.
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