Few would have bet on newly-promoted Watford being above Liverpool in the Premier League table ahead of their clash at Vicarage Road.
Two games without a win leaves the Reds ninth in the table, two places and a point below the Hornets in a congested race for the European spots.
Here, CaughtOffside predicts what lineup Jurgen Klopp might go with for this difficult away trip…
SEE MORE:
Tony Pulis puts Jurgen Klopp in place over “long-ball” accusations as Liverpool row rumbles on
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique desperate to sign Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho ‘at any cost’
Bojan transfer: Mark Hughes warns Liverpool & Man United target not to leave to sit on bench
GK: Simon Mignolet
Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion means that the Belgian only has one clean sheet in his last seven Premier League games.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
Has played more games this season than any other Liverpool outfield player (23).
CB: Martin Skrtel
Could be in for a tricky afternoon against the Watford forward pairing of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, who have 10 goals between them in their last seven top-flight games.
CB: Mamadou Sakho
The Frenchman has missed Liverpool’s last seven matches but is expected to be fit to replace Dejan Lovren, who has been ruled out for a month with a knee injury, according to The Guardian.
LB: Alberto Moreno
The bombarding Spaniard will be responsible for providing much of Liverpool’s width if they continue with the narrow formation that Klopp has employed in recent weeks.
DMC: Emre Can
Significantly given the nod over Lucas Leiva last weekend, but the German has made more defensive mistakes than any other Premier League player this term (five).
CM: Jordan Henderson
Will be relishing the festive fixtures after missing most of the first half of the season. His goal against Albion would have been the return he had in mind, if not the result.
CM: James Milner
The only player in this lineup to have played Watford in the Premier League before. He won one and drew the other game against the Hornets in 2006-07, while at Newcastle United.
AMC: Adam Lallana
Currently being preferred in the attacking trio to Roberto Firmino despite having failed to find the net in 12 Premier League games this season. His two goals have come in the Europa League.
AMC: Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool are so reliant on their Brazilian magician to create chances. His exact role may depend on who is selected to lead the line, but either way Coutinho should have freedom to roam.
ST: Divock Origi
Daniel Sturridge remains unavailable and Christian Benteke off colour, so Klopp may choose to reward the Belgian with a rare start after his stoppage-time equaliser against the Baggies.
SEE ALSO:
Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland report & video: Blues better off without Mourinho but fans stay loyal to Jose
Hiddink is the perfect Chelsea manager: 4 reasons Dutchman’s return is an Abramovich masterstroke
Video: Chelsea stalwarts BOOED as Stamford Bridge points the finger for Mourinho AXE