Blog: How Watford might set up against LFC at Anfield
Before Liverpool face Watford at Anfield this afternoon, we take a closer look at the tactics the visitors are likely to employ in the latest blog by guest writer Paul Wilkes.
Quique Sanchez Flores has managed at both Atletico Madrid and Valencia, and won the Europa League in 2010 with the former, which was 18 months before the arrival of Diego Simeone. His Watford team have had a decent first campaign back in the Barclays Premier League, even though results have dropped off a little in recent weeks.
Like at Atletico, the Spaniard has mainly stuck to a 4-4-2 formation, although this has varied slightly at times, with the occasional use of a diamond midfield and a 4-2-3-1 when Troy Deeney has dropped into the No.10 role.
The partnership of Deeney and Odion Ighalo has been one of the key reasons behind their success, with the two strikers scoring a combined 25 league goals. Deeney is exceptional in the air and strong at holding off defenders in possession, while Ighalo likes to run behind the opposing centre-back, whether by dribbling or latching onto a through ball.
Both have tremendous finishing ability, which is not always the case with natural relationships between front men. However, Flores deserves huge credit for the strike combination, having previously worked wonders with Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan at the Vicente Calderon.
In central midfield, Etienne Capoue and Valon Behrami are both injured, so Ben Watson and Mario Suarez will likely start. The midfielders are defensively solid and look to distribute the ball into wide areas. Suarez is capable of the occasional direct ball from deep into the attackers.
Watford mainly find their creativity from the wingers, as Flores often rotates them dependent on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Ikechi Anya, Almen Abdi and Nordin Amrabat all compete for a starting berth, but it is Jurado who provides the most chances for his team, even though he has not got a single assist this term.
The defence has been fairly settled for most the season, with Craig Cathcart and Miguel Britos the centre-backs in front of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. However, Flores has tinkered with the back four numerous times in the last couple of months, as they have kept just one clean sheet in the previous 10 matches.
For more from Paul, follow @paulwilkesfooty.