TEAM NEWS: Sakho returns as Bogdan & Lucas start for Liverpool
The France international is back in the starting XI following a spell
out, while the Hungarian goalkeeper makes his first Premier League start
for the club with Simon Mignolet out
Mamadou Sakho returns to the heart of Liverpool’s defence at Watford after overcoming a knee injury, while Simon Mignolet has a slight hamstring problem and is replaced in goal by Adam Bogdan.
The French defender has not featured for the Reds since falling awkwardly in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on November 8 and comes in for Dejan Lovren at centre-back, who is nursing a deep cut to his knee.
Bogdan, meanwhile, makes his first Premier League start for Liverpool and will want to maximise his opportunity with Mignolet under pressure to elevate his game.
Jurgen Klopp is more than happy with his first-choice keeper, but the Belgian's reluctance to catch crosses and his lack of confidence with the ball at his feet has proved troublesome.
Bogdan has played in all three of the club's League Cup clashes, saving three penalties in the shootout victory over Carlisle, kept a clean sheet against Bournemouth and was between the sticks during the 6-1 blitz of Southampton.
Lucas also is back among the first 11, substituting vice-captain James Milner, who has a calf complaint.
In attack, Klopp has opted to field the fluid front three of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino. They combined industry and invention to decimate Manchester City 4-1 and the manager will want a similarly slick performance against Watford.
The encounter at Vicarage Road represents Liverpool’s 2000th away game in top-flight history. If they oust Watford, Liverpool will head into Christmas five points better off than at the same stage of last season.
Liverpool XI: Bogdan, Moreno, Skrtel, Sakho, Clyne, Henderson, Lucas, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino
Subs: Fulton, Toure, Randall, Allen, Ibe, Benteke, Origi
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