OPINION
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to recall Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri for his team’s clash with Watford on Wednesday.
With Roberto Firmino having picked up an ankle injury against Manchester United on Sunday, it’s unlikely that he’ll start against the Hornets. Shaqiri is the obvious candidate to replace him in the starting line up, and could be a potential game-changer here.
James Milner and Jordan Henderson can both also expect to drop out of the team, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita sure to replace them.
Klopp will be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways after being denied victory by United, but Javi Gracia’s men represent a tough test for any team.
Alisson is the undisputed number one at Liverpool these days and produced another fine performance on Sunday. He is a shoe-in to start once again here.
As mentioned, Alexander-Arnold will likely replace Milner at right back after the midfielder started against the Red Devils. Meanwhile, Andrew Robertson is almost certain to take up residence at left back on Wednesday.
Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk are Klopp’s number one centre back pairing out of necessity at this point, but have been playing pretty well of late nonetheless. They can both expect to start against Watford.
In midfield, Henderson will surely drop out for Keita after a fairly pedestrian outing at Old Trafford. Keita appears to have found his feet lately after a slow start to life at the club, and his dynamism would be well suited to breaking down a resilient Hornets side. Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum will likely keep their places in the middle of the park.
Firmino isn’t expected to start, meaning that Shaqiri will probably come in for him on the right, with Mohamed Salah moving more centrally. Sadio Mane is almost certain to play on the left once again.
