THE HEAT
Pressure mounts as Liverpool aim high
WATFORD the club record £37 million (RM206 million) signing of Mohamed Salah, one of Serie A’s outstanding performers with Roma last season.
Scotland international Andy Robertson, acquired from Hull for £8 million, may be the answer to Liverpool’s problems at leftback, while young striker Dominic Solanke arrives from Chelsea with glowing reports of his potential.
Keeping Philippe Coutinho in the face of intense interest from Barcelona would be another significant statement of intent.
Liverpool have rejected two bids from Barca for the Brazil forward, the second a reported £90 million offer on Wednesday, and have made clear they have no intention of selling a player who agreed a five-year contract last January.
Unfortunately for Klopp, Coutinho may be absent at Vicarage Road, having missed last weekend’s friendly against Athletic Bilbao with a back injury.
Reds captain Jordan Henderson, who missed the final three months of last season with a foot injury, is fully fit again, and should play after recovering from a virus.
Liverpool had a good pre-season, losing only one of eight games — and that on penalties to Atletico Madrid – while recording an impressive 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
August will be a key month for Liverpool, as they face Arsenal in the Premier League as well as a two-legged Champions League qualifier against Hoffenheim, but Klopp is raring to go.
“Everyone is thinking about the Champions League qualifier but Watford is the first target,” he said.
Watford have confirmed Troy Deeney will remain as captain, with new boss Marco Silva confirming he does not expect the striker to be sold.
Deeney is unlikely to play against Liverpool despite returning to training following a groin problem but Andre Gray, who arrived from Burnley for £18 million this week, is set for his debut.
Gray’s signing could have cast further doubt over Deeney’s future but, asked if he would stay, Silva said: “Of course, he’s our player and our captain and he’s one player we hope to keep.
“Andre’s a different player to Troy and Stefano Okaka. They have different types of games. He gives a different option.” AFP