Liverpool will be without the services of their captain Jordan Henderson for the game against Watford
As Liverpool play in the final game of the weekend, they have seen their fellow top four contenders drop points on Sunday, and the game against Watford could be the one where they begin to establish a healthy lead over the chasing pack.
Sitting level on points with Manchester City after 34 games, a loss on Monday could see Liverpool fall out of the top four as they are level on goal difference with the Manchester outfit.
After suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace last week, Jurgen Klopp and his men will now look to make things right by picking up three points against a mid-table Watford side at Vicarage Road.
They will, however, be without the services of captain and holding midfielder Jordan Henderson who has been out several weeks due to a persistent foot injury. He has been on the periphery of returning to the first team, but has not managed to recover a hundred percent.
Another injury concern in midfield arises in the form of Englishman Adam Lallana. He has been one of Liverpool’s main men in the middle of the park this season, but has been ruled out for the last six weeks due to a thigh injury.
Lallana returned to training a few days back, and while there is a buoyant mood in the Liverpool setup that he will be given the nod to start, manger Jurgen Klopp may think twice before starting the number 20.
Speaking to the press ahead of the match, Klopp said: “I saw his last four rehab sessions and he looked really good. You have to think about whether he could start and whether he is ready for 45 minutes or more. If not then he cannot start because we cannot make the first change in the first half.”
The German also gave a positive update on striker Daniel Sturridge, who has been dealing with a number of injuries over the past few seasons. The English forward missed Liverpool’s last outing against Palace through a hip injury, but could be back for the match against Watford.
Sadio Mane and Danny Ings are the other players who are ruled out for the match and possibly for the season while defender Ragnar Klavan remains a major doubt for this game.
