Liverpool expected 4-3-3 v Watford: No Coutinho as two summer signings start

Thu 10 August 2017 12:18, UK

By Danny Wright

Philippe Coutinho is expected to lead the list of players that will not be named in Liverpool’s first starting line-up of the season as they prepare to take on Watford on Saturday.

The Reds are likely to kick off their campaign at Vicarage Road without the Brazil international, 25, in their usual 4-3-3 formation as he has been unable to train this week due to a back injury.

There is also intense speculation about Coutinho’s future at Anfield following the BBC‘s report that Barcelona have had two big-money bids rejected by Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp is also expected to give two of his summer signings their competitive debuts in the visit to Watford, with Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson both likely to make the cut.

Simon Mignolet is likely to continue his dominance over Loris Karius in the goalkeeping position for the Premier League opener after the Belgian show drastic improvement to his form at the back end of last season.

He could line up behind a back four of Robertson, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is likely to deputise for Nathaniel Clyne as Klopp as already ruled him out of the tie.

Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson are expected to make up the midfield trio with Adam Lallana out injured, while Salah may be joined by Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in attack.