Klopp hopes for a reaction

– Juergen Klopp (above) will be watching eagerly to see if his Liverpool players have learned from their mistakes when Watford visit Anfield in the Premier League today.

Klopp made clear his players were too slow to react to second balls last weekend, as they fell to only their fourth league defeat of the season in losing 2-1 at Manchester United.

That defeat cost Liverpool the chance to go second, although with both United and Tottenham in FA Cup action this weekend, Klopp’s side will go third if they avoid defeat against Watford.

The key will be to ensure they remain solid while maintaining their attacking threat, something they failed to do when they drew 3-3 with Watford at Vicarage Road on the opening day of the season.

Liverpool trailed twice that day, then went ahead through Mohamed Salah’s first goal for the club, only to concede a 94th-minute equaliser to Miguel Britos.

That was a sign of the defensive troubles that have continued to plague Liverpool.

At Old Trafford last Saturday, they conceded two avoidable firsthalf goals to Marcus Rashford, then ran into a brick wall as they attempted to save the game.

Klopp could reflect on the fact that his team lost despite having 67.9% possession and 14 efforts on goal to United’s five.

Despite the disappointment of losing for only the second time in their past 21 league matches, Liverpool can take solace from the fact that their overall form is good.

They are one of only two teams yet to lose a Premier League game at home this season, and have a Champions League quarterfinal to look forward to in April.

Klopp also has more or less a full squad to choose from, with only defender Nathaniel Clyne definitely unavailable as he continues to recover from a long-term back injury.

They do have one other concern, though.

Midfielder Can has collected nine bookings, and one more will bring him a two-match suspension, keeping him out of the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park on April 8.

Watford are yet to score on their travels under new manager Javi Gracia. – AFP