The Liverpool Offside - Premier League 2019-20: Watford vs. LiverpoolZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2020-02-29T19:26:36+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/209230322020-02-29T19:26:36+00:002020-02-29T19:26:36+00:00Watford 3, Liverpool 0 - Match Recap: Liverpool Lose First League Game This Season
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<img alt="Watford FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hoyYBJ06EgpetVooA72sou1TndE=/0x0:3519x2346/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66409613/1209505899.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>What a pitiful and disappointing display from the Reds against Watford at Vicarage Road.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="TSNw2H">
<h1 id="ANspCa">Watford 3 - 0 <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> </h1>
<h5 id="gM8V4a">Watford: Sarr 53’, 59’ Deeney 72’</h5>
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<h3 id="TD9mT3">Pre-Match </h3>
<p id="WAYHpk"><span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> gets the start in <span>Jordan Henderson</span>’s position over Naby Keita. In the defense, <span>Joe Gomez</span> misses this match with injury, so it’s <span>Dejan Lovren</span> alongside Virgil van Dijk. The Gomez sub is said to be a precaution, so let’s hope it’s nothing serious. If Liverpool win this game, they will set the new record for most consecutive wins in Premier League history.</p>
<h3 id="c4mDp9">First Half</h3>
<p id="Qw3oSL">The game starts out slow and a bit tepid, with Liverpool controlling the ball in the midfield. Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are pumping in the crosses, but so far nothing has worked out.</p>
<p id="YOQCyb">Liverpool get their first corner in the ninth minute, but it leads to Watford countering quickly. Gerard Deulofeu gets himself open and fires a shot that sails just above Alisson’s crossbar. The Hornets begin working themselves into the game, and it’s Liverpool on the back foot. </p>
<p id="5Vq9oA">It appears that the pitch is very slick because the Liverpool players keep slipping on the grass.</p>
<p id="JhdnCv">Salah gets a shot off in the 20th minute, but it’s sloppy and ends up in the side netting. So far, Watford seem to be the better side. </p>
<p id="TQ5dWV">Ouch, in the 30th minute, van Dijk takes Deulofeu down in an awkward challenge that clearly does Deulofeu’s knee in. That’s a shame. He’d been having a very good game up against Alexander-Arnold, but he gets taken off on a stretcher looking to be in considerable pain.</p>
<p id="7BUY7s">Deulofeu gets replaced by Roberto Pereyra and the game continues, likely with several minutes of added time at the end of an uneventful and ugly first half. Speaking of ugly, the tackles have been coming punishing and studs up as the players on both sides begin to get frustrated at nothing coming off. </p>
<p id="qhLuNL">Wow, wow, what just happened. Just before halftime, Troy Deeney gets free and up against Alisson. He shoots, and Alisson blocks the shot but fails to control the ball, which wriggles away from his arms. Deeney gets the rebound and somehow Alisson throws his body out to block what should have been a goal. The ball trickles out past the far post and that’s how this interminable half ends.</p>
<h3 id="YnJqvL">Second Half</h3>
<p id="ERfDaA">Oh good. This match is back on. Cool. This half starts with a mistake by Lovren that leads to Alisson saving Sarr’s shot, pushing it over the bar. </p>
<p id="eI58sQ">Minutes later, Salah gets off a shot that looks like it would be on target if it hadn’t been cut off by a defender. The Reds only got off one shot in the first half, so I’ll take what I can get.</p>
<p id="ubLtAh">Robertson gets in behind and gets off a shot that’s blocked by the goalkeeper. There’s a scramble in the box, but <span>Ben Foster</span> holds onto it in the end. </p>
<p id="MdNz4W">Goal - Sarr 53’ - The Reds will come to regret that when down on the other end, they somehow allow Watford to bag the first goal from a throw-in. Troy Deeney gets it into the box and Sarr slams it home.</p>
<p id="B7Hpwa">Goal - Sarr 59’ - Well, ok. Sarr gets another. Who knew that Joe Gomez was the glue that held this whole team together, huh? This game has been a misery from start to finish.</p>
<p id="k20KUT"><span>Adam Lallana</span> and <span>Divock Origi</span> have come on for Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain to try and salvage something for the Reds here in the last 30 minutes. </p>
<p id="SpKbxX">Goal - 72’ Deeney - Well, alright. That comeback looks like it might not happen. I dare someone to try and tell me how much Liverpool don’t need Jordan Henderson now. It’s been a long time since Liverpool fans have had to deal with this kind of feeling, and that’s a blessing in itself. But man, this whole game was horrible to watch.</p>
<p id="mBUNfh">Takumi Minamino is the unfortunate soul who gets to come on as Klopp’s third and final sub in the 79th minute, replacing <span>Roberto Firmino</span>, whose name I haven’t written at all in this recap, which should tell you how his game went.</p>
<h3 id="QpEwZu">Final Thoughts</h3>
<p id="xwaxcW">Noel’s suggestion for what to write in this section is “did Liverpool do the thing?” For the first time in the league this season, Liverpool did not do the thing. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/2/29/21159151/watford-3-liverpool-0-match-recap-epl-2020epicskyline2020-02-29T14:00:00+00:002020-02-29T14:00:00+00:00Watford vs. Liverpool Live Updates: Lineups, TV Listings, Match Highlights, and How to Watch Online
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mL6UzuxJc30m22Tqt3iquiB_0OA=/0x0:3487x2325/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66408634/1194306395.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, television and streaming options, and live Premier League coverage as Liverpool face off against Watford.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="LT9Gjs">
<h2 id="sLiwb4"><strong>WATFORD VS. LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
<h5 id="jA8Ub6">| Saturday, February 29th |<br>Premier League | Vicarage Road<br>5:30PM GMT / 12:30PM EST</h5>
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<p id="G0tOgb">Knock on wood, but <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> have a chance to break the record set by <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> and themselves last week for the most consecutive wins in the Premier League. The team trying to stop them will be Watford as Liverpool travel to Vicarage Road for the late game on Saturday. It was a close call last Monday when Liverpool came back from being 2-1 behind to win 3-2. </p>
<h2 id="GPYMJ3"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="JS2Dfd"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/2/28/21157363/watford-liverpool-epl-2019-preview-team-news-predicted-lineup-how-to-watch-jurgen-klopp">Watford vs. Liverpool</a></p>
<p id="KH2QxC"><strong>Television:</strong> Sky Sports Premier League (UK); NBCSN (USA); Optus Sport (Australia); DAZN (Canada); Star Sports Select 1 (India); Astro SuperSport 3 (Malaysia); SuperSport 3 (Nigeria); 102 mio Stadium (Singapore); SuperSport 3 (South Africa); other listings at <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/">LiveSoccerTV</a></p>
<p id="P3DWG9"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> <a href="https://fave.co/2zta1NX" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>NBC via FuboTV</strong></a>* (USA) | <strong>Online Radio:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2020%2F2%2F29%2F21158695%2Fwatford-vs-liverpool-epl-2020-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">LFCTV GO</a></p>
<h2 id="R4GjNQ"><strong>WATFORD</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> TEAM NEWS <br><br>Two changes from last weekend.<br><br>➡️ Femenía & Sarr<br>⬅️ Dawson & Pereyra<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATLIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATLIV</a> <a href="https://t.co/4vhG5kg0Hx">pic.twitter.com/4vhG5kg0Hx</a></p>— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WatfordFC/status/1233791539748462595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="SvxbX3"><strong>LIVERPOOL</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATLIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATLIV</a> team news.<br><br>Joe Gomez (precaution due to a minor fitness concern) and Naby Keita (sore hip) both out. <a href="https://t.co/Ho7mXKo7bf">https://t.co/Ho7mXKo7bf</a></p>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1233791605179633666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 29, 2020</a>
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<h2 id="qc0DIW"><strong>FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
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<h2 id="ZHv0KV"><strong>SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS</strong></h2>
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<h2 id="aG8vaT"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="jDh5tY">If you haven’t already, sign up for an SB Nation account and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the conversation on The Liverpool Offside,</a> where we’ll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, opinion, and tactical discussion.</p>
<h5 id="yOBPAF">*Liverpool Offside has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Liverpool Offside may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.</h5>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/2/29/21158695/watford-vs-liverpool-epl-2020-goal-highlights-teamsheets-tv-channels-online-streamingepicskyline2020-02-29T03:17:18+00:002020-02-29T03:17:18+00:00Five Important Questions Ahead of Liverpool’s Trip to Watford
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<img alt="FBL-EUR-C1-LIVERPOOL-TRAINING" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I9NXXciOau3rNqarD4py8U5OKs4=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66407627/1201476654.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Another critical round of questions with vital, critical answers.</p> <p id="y9Jni4">A very important match between <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> and Watford will take place on Saturday. How important, we may never know. </p>
<p id="c6zRvT">But answers to these five powerful questions will no doubt provide us with some clues.</p>
<ol>
<li id="uORFWP">Watford manager Nigel Pearson is supposedly given credit for building the <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/">Leicester City</a> team that won the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri in 2016. Pearson had brought the Foxes up from the Championship just two seasons before with largely the same squad but, let’s not be ridiculous, it was Ranieri. In five words, describe Saturday’s match referee Michael Oliver.</li>
<li id="SYbCN2">Klopp chose a midfield of Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita anchored by Fabinho against West Ham on Monday. With Jordan Henderson sidelined for weeks the manager still isn’t able to play his preferred team but he does have excellent options. There’s Naby Keita, who has the slick footwork and eye for a pass that could be necessary against Watford’s tight defense. Keita has started the last two games, though. He might step aside for <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> or Adam Lallana. Dropping Wijnaldum is a possibility but far too risky unless Milly’s available, and he’s not. You see, when one low center of gravity having, master of the butt shield is removed another must take his place. How long can you keep your eyes open without blinking?</li>
<li id="ibXLrC">Sooner or later Klopp’s going to have to put Joël Matip into the starting XI. And I think there’s a chance Matip’s time arrives against Watford. Joe Gomez could do with a rest, probably. He’s played a lot of football with both <span>Dejan Lovren</span> and Matip out for awhile. I don’t know if Virgil van Dijk needs a rest or not. Probably not, but depending on Klopp’s interest in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> at this point, Van Dijk could be given a night off at <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> on Tuesday and make way for Matip’s return to the team. It’s important that Joël gets his mojo up and running. Name one rap song.</li>
<li id="KRqSoz">Watford have just five victories this season: <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/">Norwich City</a>, <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a>, Bournemouth, Wolves, and especially <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>, a 2-0 loss that followed a week after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Hornets at Anfield. Pearson’s team are second to last in the league but they do have a chance of getting out of the relegation zone because West Ham, Villa and Bournemouth, all above the Hornets in the table, have been equally terrible at winning matches. Nobody seems to be winning anything down there at the bottom. Use the name of ex-Watford chairman Elton John in a sentence.</li>
<li id="ESHJaD">From Anfield to Vicarage Road is 320 kilometers, that’s 199 miles. By car it’s a roughly three and half hour drive. By hot air balloon it’s maybe forty hours, without stopping. I don’t know anything about hot air balloons but I’d bet you have to land from time to time, find a bush along the way. So, if you’re still sitting at home and reading this when you should have hopped into your balloon basket days ago, you’ve missed your window. And Chelsea on Tuesday would be an even farther trip into London for you. Forget it. You’d have to be airborne Saturday and you’re not ready. <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> is next but you’re not going to fly a balloon over Stanley Park. You promised you weren’t in it for the cheap publicity anymore. Easy come, easy go, you said. But a flight to <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> on April 5th would be a very respectable afternoon in the air. And that’s my recommendation. Keytars or Segways? Remove one from existence.</li>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/2/29/21158600/five-important-questions-liverpool-watford-chelsea-jurgen-klopp-nigel-pearson-everton-leicester-cityMatt Wood2020-02-28T16:30:00+00:002020-02-28T16:30:00+00:00Preview: Watford vs. Liverpool
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t2jIDU2Svs2Vk9fmhMsy7dJN2Ek=/0x0:3662x2441/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66399317/1194306323.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Jürgen Klopp will send his team out at Vicarage Road prepared to close the gap between themselves and the Premier League title.</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qm9v04">
<h2 id="BqgYiQ">Watford vs. Liverpool</h2>
<h5 id="gH6SAI">| Saturday, February 29th |<br>Premier League | Vicarage Road<br>5:30PM GMT / 12:30PM EST</h5>
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<p id="9bYlBy">Liverpool are on the road again this weekend. Jürgen Klopp’s team travel to Watford on Saturday determined to bring Liverpool another three points closer to securing the Premier League title. Just four wins separate the Reds from their status as champions, stepping passed Watford would bring it down to three.</p>
<p id="AMFPeq">Nigel Pearson has managed to positively change the way Watford play since his arrival in December but movement up the table has been a struggle for the club. And they shouldn’t expect to turn their story around against Liverpool. The Hornet’s haven’t been lucky with results against the Reds for quite some time. </p>
<p id="pzzznC">Liverpool have scored loads of goals against Watford over the last several seasons. In the nine matches that Klopp has faced Watford, Liverpool have scored 27 times. <span>Mohamed Salah</span> put two passed <span>Ben Foster</span> in December. Sadio Mané has contributed with either a goal or an assist every time he’s played Watford. </p>
<p id="yABUdQ">Despite his team’s lowly position, Pearson has pulled off a few points heists against good teams. A win against <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>, a win against Wolves, and a draw with Spurs. All of those results came at Vicarage Road and his side will cling to that connection with their home support in order to get something from Liverpool.</p>
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<h5 id="unXFb5"><strong>Projected Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)</strong></h5>
<p id="Yyzs1U">Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Firmino, Mané; Salah</p>
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<p id="2wpFZv">It’s no secret that <span>Jordan Henderson</span> and <span>James Milner</span> are not available for Klopp this weekend. Neither is <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span>, if you were wondering, though I know you weren’t. Otherwise, the manager has a strong squad from which to create his XI at Watford. </p>
<p id="jVJ8nD">In the reverse fixture, Shaqiri started in an attacking position on the right with Mo moving into a more center forward role. This 4-2-3-1 formation could open up an opportunity to get Takumi Minamino onto the pitch in that same position. Although I have a feeling Klopp would choose <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span>, instead. Which is great. But also, give us Minamino or we will scream. </p>
<p id="nlDfVZ">In this formation, Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum would hold down the midfield getting support from <span>Roberto Firmino</span> dropping deep without the ball. Sadio plays as usual. </p>
<p id="nKOcSv">The defense would seem to pick itself given Klopp has run with <span>Joe Gomez</span> and Virgil van Dijk for so long. But Joël Matip is back and in need of match fitness. I think there’s a slim possibility that Gomez gets a rest at Watford and Matip comes in alongside Van Dijk. Or Klopp may prefer to give Matip a starting spot at <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> in Tuesday’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> 5th round match. Although, that team sheet could have <span>Dejan Lovren</span> written all over it. </p>
<p id="GgsT0V">Liverpool have struggled in their last two road games. <a href="https://www.flightofthecanaries.com/">Norwich City</a> was a difficult win that needed a late goal from Mané to break the deadlock and Atlético Madrid was a frustrating loss where Klopp’s team failed to penetrate a compact defense. </p>
<p id="QbKDaA">Watford will be another test for Liverpool’s creative problem solving. Dominance will be important to wearing out the focus and confidence of Pearson’s team but quick movement and sharp thinking are critical if Liverpool hope to get passed the physical block of Watford.</p>
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<h5 id="Ye0nud">What the Managers Said</h5>
<p id="CTrSzo"><strong>Jürgen Klopp:</strong> “We have to be 100% ready for these fights. And that’s what I love most about my boys, that they are ready to fight.”</p>
<p id="6h06gx"><strong>Nigel Pearson: </strong>“We don’t like losing any game but we know we are certainly going to have to be at our best to give ourselves an opportunity in this game for sure.”</p>
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<h5 id="789Puw">The Officials</h5>
<p id="rZVDGz"><strong>Referee:</strong> Michael Oliver<br><strong>Assistant referees:</strong> Stuart Burt, Simon Bennett<br><strong>Fourth official:</strong> Jonathan Moss<br><strong>VAR:</strong> Mike Dean<br><strong>Assistant VAR:</strong> Darren Cann</p>
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<p id="b8UBoe">Kickoff is set for 5:30PM GMT/12:30PM EST tomorrow, and television listings for the match can be found on <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3328868/liverpool-vs-norwich-city/">LiveSoccerTV</a>.</p>
<p id="gMrAwU">In the meantime, and as always, we’ll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it’s released, our live matchday thread, and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join the discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the action as it happens.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2020/2/28/21157363/watford-liverpool-epl-2019-preview-team-news-predicted-lineup-how-to-watch-jurgen-kloppMatt Wood2020-02-28T14:00:00+00:002020-02-28T14:00:00+00:00Jürgen Klopp and the Big Fitness Update on Henderson, Milner and Shaqiri
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v CR Flamengo - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1QNIfQA6DGjQwPiUJffQVWPDOiQ=/0x0:3294x2196/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66398098/1195306136.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Key absences in Liverpool’s midfield give Klopp a decision to make at Watford.</p> <p id="4MuEgk">Jürgen Klopp has a couple of his center stalwarts still ruled out of action with injuries. Thankfully, there are quite a few midfielders who would love to get into the team with <span>Jordan Henderson</span> and <span>James Milner</span> in recovery. </p>
<p id="80zh2u">Naby Keita has started two matches in a row and will hope to continue his run in the side. <span>Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain</span> wants a regular spot. Takumi Minamino would take that attacking midfielder role in a flash. <span>Adam Lallana</span> thinks he’s got a shot, too. And don’t forget about the rise of Curtis Jones.</p>
<p id="1pR7lw">Klopp addressed the absence of Henderson, Milner and an unfortunately fragile <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> at his pre-Watford press conference and projected confidence in each player’s progress.</p>
<p id="OUMtkN">“All coming closer, much closer,” said Klopp.</p>
<p id="Z0fX8F">“Hendo is running. Milly is running even more. It was not enough for this game but we will see, especially with Milly, what we can do for Tuesday. </p>
<p id="T8Z34s">“Shaq, not yet. But all coming closer. All good.”</p>
<p id="3zmhom">Henderson may still have a couple more weeks of hamstring rehab before getting onto the pitch again. Shaqiri’s recovery time table is still unknown but we’ve seen so little of the Swiss player this season that he’s been largely forgotten as a critical asset to Klopp’s rotation. </p>
<p id="DxmYb8">Milner is 34 years old and, as difficult as it is to wrap your head around, his body won’t last playing at <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>’s level for too much longer. Klopp is going to want to get the best out of Milner’s last seasons and that means using him more sparingly. </p>
<p id="aRMPEy">If Milly actually is available for selection in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> 5th round match at <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> on Tuesday I’d expect him to start on the bench and make a second half cameo.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/2/28/21157371/jurgen-klopp-fitness-update-jordan-henderson-james-milner-xherdan-shaqiri-naby-keita-takumi-minaminoMatt Wood2020-02-27T19:00:31+00:002020-02-27T19:00:31+00:00Nigel Pearson Hopes Liverpool “Not Quite at Their Best” Against Watford
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<img alt="Liverpool FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/smdQNqQ7l4wAxriVJmlH0QwFpfQ=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66389746/1188583585.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Watford manager tried to sound hopeful ahead of his side’s match against Liverpool. He didn’t quite pull it off.</p> <p id="7n3fpY">There have been sides that have felt inevitable in the Premier League before. <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>’s Invincibles, Jose Mourinho’s <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> at their peak, <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> over far too many seasons under Alex Ferguson.</p>
<p id="dWihqj">This year, though, for the first time, the inevitable side is <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>. A side opponents often feel they’ve lost to before the match kicks off. It’s a situation Watford manager Nigel Pearson admits they’re trying to prepare for.</p>
<p id="APKmQr">“There’s probably less expectation on us in this game than there might be on others,” he noted when he spoke to the press ahead of Saturday’s game. “But there are three points up for grabs in every game.</p>
<p id="ExwPy2">“First and foremost, I want us to play as well as we can play, that’s really what it’s about. We don’t like losing any game but we are going to have to be at our best to give ourselves an opportunity in this game for sure.”</p>
<p id="SD3rQJ">Even in that talk of not going into the game as though it’s already been decided there is a certain fatalism to Pearson’s words about playing well being at their best just to have a <em>chance</em> at anything.</p>
<p id="t5fje9">It’s not a manager saying that if his side plays to their maximum they believe they will get a result. It’s a manager saying that if his side plays to their maximum, well, they could maybe possibly have a chance at one.</p>
<p id="bTM8sd">Still, in recent weeks opponents like Norwich and West Ham have run the Reds close, and along with those two clubs Watford are the third current member of the bottom three—and they need the points.</p>
<p id="JhxOz1">“We’re in the Premier League and we want to stay here,” Pearson added. “So if you go into games or writing off a number of games because you’re playing against the top sides then you limit your opportunities.</p>
<p id="005ZXN">“We just have to go out there and give it our best and if we’re at our best and they’re not quite at their best, who knows.”</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2020/2/27/21156400/nigel-pearson-hopes-liverpool-not-quite-at-their-best-against-watford-epl-2020Noel Chomyn