Preview: Ranieri, Troost-Ekong ready to battle Liverpool

Claudio Ranieri prepares for a baptism of fire in his first game back in the Premier League, with his Watford side welcoming a rampant Liverpool to Vicarage Road on Saturday lunchtime.

The Hornets lost 1-0 to Leeds United during Xisco Munoz’s last game in charge, while Jurgen Klopp’s men played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

Team News

Watford are expected to be without Francisco Sierralta for at least another two weeks after he picked up a hamstring problem against Leeds, while Josh King will need to be assessed after suffering a knee injury in the same game.

Ranieri’s defensive ranks are also depleted with the absence of Christian Kabasele (thigh), while Peter Etebo is out until 2022 and new arrival Nicolas Nkoulou is not ready for his debut just yet.

Craig Cathcart could therefore be required in the heart of defense alongside William Troost-Ekong, while Joao Pedro and Cucho Hernandez could battle it out to start up top in King’s absence unless Ken Sema returns on the left as Emmanuel Dennis leads the line.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly planning to fly Alisson Becker and Fabinho back on a private jet from South America on Friday in time for them to play on Saturday, but it would be a shock if either man was deemed fit to start.

Caoimhin Kelleher should therefore earn a start in goal, while Harvey Elliott and Thiago Alcantara remain absent, but there is optimism over the fitnesses of both Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

With Fabinho absent, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will hope to be handed opportunities in the middle of the park, while Roberto Firmino is set to lead the line as Jota is spared for the trip to Madrid and Divock Origi battles an illness.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Foster; Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Rose; Sissoko, Kucka; Sarr, Tufan, Sema; Dennis

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Jones, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane.