--- title: "4-2-3-1: Jurgen Klopp must start this Liverpool XI to comfortably beat Watford on Saturday" canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/4-2-3-1-jurgen-klopp-must-start-this-liverpool-xi-to-comfortably-beat-watford-on-saturday/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "reecedixon" section: "Liverpool Football Club" published: "2017-08-08T05:00:14Z" modified: "2017-08-08T05:00:14Z" --- # 4-2-3-1: Jurgen Klopp must start this Liverpool XI to comfortably beat Watford on Saturday **Jurgen Klopp has a tough decision to make over his starting XI for the opening day game against Watford, with the Reds aiming to get off to the perfect start.** Liverpool fans down in the Transfer Tavern have been delighted with their pre-season form. Klopp’s side have stepped up their fluidity in attack after adding the likes of Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke. And after the 3-0 trouncing of Bayern Munich, it appears the German is also making progress in defence. Unfortunately, the game demonstrated the best and worst of Daniel Sturridge. The 27 year-old limped off seconds after executing a beautiful chip to seal the win. The England man’s injury woes seemingly have no end, but Sturridge could still figure for the Reds this weekend. Competition for places is really hotting up at the top end of the pitch, while Klopp also has a right-back dilemma and a goalkeeping decision to make. **We’ve been debating and think this XI would comfortably beat Watford on Saturday…** ## IN GOAL – SIMON MIGNOLET ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/mignolet.jpg) Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius have each shared the net this summer, but it’s the Belgian who gets the nod. It was mildly surprising Liverpool elected not to recruit another goalkeeper, Reds fans will be praying for improvements from both. ## LEFT-BACK – JAMES MILNER ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JAMES-MILNER.jpg) With Andrew Robertson still coming to terms with the demands of Klopp’s system, he is yet to establish himself at left-back, with Alberto Moreno making a surprise resurgence in August. However, expect Klopp to go with the dependable veteran James Milner at full-back. ## CENTRE-BACK – JOEL MATIP ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/matip.jpg) The German got off to a slow start last season, but quickly began to impress for his new side. A formidable partnership with either Klavan or Lovren is brewing, but Klopp sitll needs another centre-back. ## CENTRE-BACK – DEJAN LOVREN ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Dejan-LovrenDejan-Lovren.jpg) The former Saints defender gets the nod ahead of Klavan. Lovren was much improved last season, but Estonian international Klavan will be lying in wait should he slip up. ## RIGHT-BACK – JOE GOMEZ ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Gomez-.jpg) Klopp has a tough decision to make over his right-back. Nathaniel Clyne is out, which means either the in-form Joe Gomez, the more experienced Jon Flanagan or the raw Trent Alexander-Arnold. Joe Gomez has impressed the most this pre-season and starts. ## CENTRE-MIDFIELD – JORDAN HENDERSON ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Hends.jpg) The skipper missed the latest pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in Dublin due to illness. It’s uncertain whether he will be ready, but Emre Can is a adequate replacement. ## CENTRE-MIDFIELD – GIGI WIJNALDUM ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Georginio-Wijnaldum.jpg) The midfielder featured in all eight of the Reds pre-season games. Wijnaldum’s infectious energy and determination makes him one of the first names on the team sheet. ## CAM – PHILIPPE COUTINHO ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-07-22T140938Z_641452086_RC1E333B7930_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-ASIA-LEI-LIV.jpg) Adam Lallana has been ruled out for up to three months with a thigh injury, so Coutinho could drop back from the wing. The Brazilian is perhaps more suited to the position behind the striker. ## RIGHT-WING -MOHAMED SALAH ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-04-24T192737Z_1020498712_UP1ED4O1I2081_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ITALY-PES-ROM.jpg) The Egyptian who previously flopped at Chelsea has rebuilt his career in Italy. Salah’s £37m price-tag is looking like a bargain even before a ball has been kicked. ## LEFT WING – ROBERTO FIRMINO ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2016-12-27T180306Z_125863386_MT1ACI14711930_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LIV-STK.jpg) Firmino was fantastic for Liverpool last season. Often operating as a lead striker, he impressed to finish the campaign on 11 goals and 7 assists. The Brazilian has been on target this pre-season also, with four goals. ## UP FRONT – DOMINIC SOLANKE ![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2015-04-27T191252Z_1_MT1ACI13706658_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-CHE-MCI.jpg) Already displaying his well rounded talent this pre-season, Solanke looks to be an ideal deputy for Klopp’s leading No. 9, Firmino. Chelsea just may regret offloading the Englishman to a direct rival.