Philippe Coutinho may be the main conversation topic but he will not be on the pitch – the Brazilian is out with a back problem. Liverpool are also without Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridgedue to injury. They travel to Vicarage Road uncertain of what kind of opponents they will face in Watford, now managed by Marco Silva and with seven new signings jostling for places. One of those, record transfer Andre Gray, looks certain to start up front in the absence of the injured Troy Deeney while Nathaniel Chalobah is likely to anchor midfield after permanently returning to the club where he played on loan five seasons ago. Paul MacInnes
Kick-off Saturday 12.30pm
Venue Vicarage Road
Last season Watford 0 Liverpool 1
Referee Anthony Taylor
Last season G30, Y120, R4, 4.27 cards per game
Odds H 5-1 A 4-7 D 3-1
Watford
Subs from Arlauskis, Pantilimon, Prödl, Mariappa, Deeney, Success, Richarlison, Cathcart, Sinclair, Hughes, Zárate, Femenía, Watson, Dje Djédjé, Capoue, Hoban, Okaka, Behrami
Doubtful Deeney (groin)
Injured Kabasele
Suspended None
Form n/a
Discipline (last season) Y84 R5
Top scorer (last season) Deeney 10
Liverpool
Subs from Karius, Sakho, Gomez, Ojo, Grujic, Klavan, Moreno, Brannagan, Origi, Solanke, Robertson, Flanagan, Markovic, Woodburn
Doubtful None
Injured Clyne (hamstring, 19 Aug), Coutinho (back, 19 Aug), Sturridge (thigh, 19 Aug), Ings (knee, 26 Aug), Lallana (thigh, Nov), Bogdan (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form n/a
Discipline (last season) Y54 R0
Top scorer (last season) Coutinho 13