Liverpool could briefly claim top spot with a win over Watford at Anfield in Saturday’s early kick-off at Anfield.
The Reds return from the international break looking to extend their winning run to 10 league games. Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson’s side will be hoping to close the gap on the teams above them with an unlikely result in their bid for Premier League survival .
With Manchester City in action against Burnley later the same day, Jurgen Klopp’s side can pile on the pressure with a victory over the Hornets. A selection of pundits have made Liverpool clear favourites, though the Reds have been warned not to overlook Watford as they begin an important few weeks in the title race.
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Paul Merson, Sportskeeda , (Liverpool 2-0 Watford)
Paul Merson has suggested that this game could have come at the most opportune time for Watford. Following an international break and with several other high-profile games on the horizon, the Arsenal legend wonders whether Watford could turn out to be a tougher test than expected for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“There's never a right time to play a team like Liverpool, but Watford wouldn't mind the timing of this fixture,” Merson said. “The Reds had a lot of players on international duty and with a huge UEFA Champions League game against Benfica coming up, will they look to rest a few players?
"Additionally, with Mohamed Salah coming on the back of another devastating defeat for Egypt , will that play on his mind? With Trent Alexander-Arnold missing due to injury, Jurgen Klopp might turn to Joe Gomez or James Milner to deputise at right-back.
“I think he'll go with the latter, because when Milner plays, he hardly ever disappoints. Liverpool should win this game, but it'll be a lot harder than people think.”
Michael Owen, Bet Victor , (Liverpool 3-0 Watford)
For ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen , getting the win over Hodgson’s side should be a straightforward task. Though the BT Sport pundit believes Watford could possibly stay up this season, he doesn’t believe an upset at Anfield is on the cards.
“Liverpool’s form before the break was brilliant, and the squad should be ready for a huge couple of months ahead,” Owen said. “For all of the talk about how good Liverpool are going forward, which they are, defensively they’ve been so solid . They’ve conceded one league goal since February.
“Watford have given themselves a small chance of staying up. They won away against Southampton in their last, and they’ve got a massive couple of games coming up after this. I can only see a routine Liverpool win here though.”
Mark Lawrenson, BBC Sport , (Liverpool 3-0 Watford)
Making his customary predictions ahead of the weekend, Liverpool legend Lawrenson believes his former side would happily prioritise substance over style if it meant that the team could guarantee three points. And the ex-defender would know best, having won five league titles during his playing days with the Reds.
“Performances don't matter now for Liverpool or Manchester City - results are all that matter from here in the title race,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport. “Liverpool have won their past nine league games but they have to forget all the noise and just focus on winning this one.
“Their task on Saturday will be to break down Watford because we know exactly how Roy Hodgson will set the Hornets up. I don't think the Reds will have too much trouble there, though.
“Watford got a good win last time out - at Southampton on 13 March - but we have seen them flicker into life before and then put in a disappointing display in their next game. I'd be very surprised if they held out for 90 minutes at Anfield.”
