Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must work around the enforced absence of another two key players for Saturday lunchtime's Premier League battle with Watford.

The Reds' Brazilian duo Alisson Becker and Fabinho finish their international commitments in the early hours of Friday morning UK time, and neither man will make the squad this weekend.

Klopp's ranks will also be depleted by the absences of Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott, but there is optimism that Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold will both be fit for the weekend.

Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to earn an opportunity in goal due to Alisson's late return, while Alexander-Arnold should be fit to return at right-back while Andy Robertson features on the left.

It would not be surprising to see Virgil van Dijk rested with the Champions League in mind, so Joe Gomez and Joel Matip could very well form the centre-back pairing at Vicarage Road.

Jordan Henderson ought to play the Fabinho role this weekend, while Naby Keita should also start, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could edge out James Milner for the final midfield spot.

Roberto Firmino is likely to be given the nod up top even if Jota is passed fit, while Sadio Mane goes in search of his 100th Premier League goal and Mohamed Salah hopes to score for the eighth game in a row for Liverpool.

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

Written by
Ben Knapton