Watford vs Liverpool live commentary and match stats: Latest score and updates from Reds opener at Vicarage Road
Watford's club record signing Andre Gray starts on the bench as Roberto Firmino leads the line for the Reds
LIVERPOOL face Watford in their Premier League opener at Vicarage Road.
But Philippe Coutinho has missed out with a back problem as speculation over his future continues to mount.
Watford's club record signing Andre Gray will start on the bench but summer signing Nathaniel Chalobah makes his league debut.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
The Brazilian continues to be linked with moves to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and he may also miss out on their Champions League play-off match against Hoffenheim on Tuesday.
NOT PICKED YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM YET? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Klopp said: "He has back problems, not in training since last Friday. So he's not available, and a doubt for Tuesday unfortunately."
There is a lot of doubt surrounding Coutinho's future after he handed in a transfer request, hours after the club released a statement to say he is strictly not for sale.
On Friday afternoon, Liverpool's statement read:“We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho.
“The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes.”
But moments later, reports emerged saying the forward had handed in a transfer request to force a move away from Anfield.
💎 Betting tips: Liverpool to beat Watford & BTTS, 11/5 💎
LIVERPOOL TO BEAT WATFORD & BTTS, 11/5
LIVERPOOL have won their last four opening day matches.
And they look excellent value to do the same against Watford on Saturday.
The Reds are 5/9 to win at Vicarage Road.
Both teams have scored in every one of Watford's opening day games in the Premier League so we like the look of a Liverpool win and BTTS double.
That pays out at 11/5 with Sun Bets. You can add it to your betslip here.
Latest Watford and Liverpool news
When is Watford vs Liverpool?
Watford's clash against Liverpool kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday August 12.
SunSport will have all the team news from 11.30am.
What channel is Watford vs Liverpool?
The game is being shown on SkySports Main Event and SkySports Premier League
Coverage begins at 11.30am
You can also keep tabs on the game with talkSPORT and SunSport.
Alternatively, check out all the goals later in the day on the Sun Football app.
Fact me
- Watford have lost their last three Premier League meetings with Liverpool, with an aggregate score of 1-9 in the Reds’ favour.
- Emre Can’s spectacular overhead kick sealed a 1-0 win for Liverpool at Vicarage Road last season on May 1st 2017.
- Watford are yet to record an opening day Premier League win, losing twice and drawing twice.
- Both teams have scored in all four of Watford’s matches to start a Premier League season.
- The Hornets are unbeaten in their last 10 opening day league games (W5 D5) since losing six in a row between 2001 and 2006.
- Liverpool have won each of their last four opening day Premier League matches, after failing to win any of the previous four.
Most read in football
- Three of Liverpool’s four defeats on opening day in the Premier League have come away from Anfield (W8 D5 L3).
- After remaining unbeaten in his first seven home Premier League games as a manager (W6 D1), new Watford boss Marco Silva has lost his last two, most recently a 1-7 defeat to Spurs as Hull manager on the final day of last season.
- The Reds have won their last three away Premier League games without conceding a goal – they last won four on the bounce without conceding between January and March 2002.
- Jurgen Klopp’s heaviest defeat as Liverpool manager came against Watford in December 2015, with the Reds going down 3-0 at Vicarage Road.
- Troy Deeney has appeared in 75 of Watford’s 76 Premier League matches since the start of 2015-16 but is likely to miss this match through injury.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest transfer news and speculation with our live transfer feed
Have you signed up to play fantasy football yet?
If the answer is no you need to take a long, hard look at yourself.
Because the Dream Team game – the UK’s biggest fantasy football game – is back and better than ever this season.
You’ve got a £50m budget to pick 11 players, with all the biggest new signings ready and raring to go ahead of a mouthwatering new Premier League campaign.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to play now!
Commentary