Watford duo Valon Behrami and Sebastian Prodl could both be available after recovering from calf problems.
The Hornets remain without long-term absentees Rene Gilmartin and Tommie Hoban.
Liverpool’s James Milner has been ruled out with a calf problem while Daniel Sturridge is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Defender Dejan Lovren also misses out after suffering a knee injury against West Brom last weekend.
Editor’s Note: 7th plays 9th today only it’s Watford in 7th and Liverpool 9th in fairness to both Watford and Liverpool fans you would imagine that to be the other way around.
But Watford have got one of the hottest Premier League striker partnerships this season with Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney banging in the goals and they will look to claim another scalp this afternoon with the visit of Liverpool
Watford have won their last 3 matches and this has seen them move to the lofty heights of 7th, a win today would keep them there but it would put them only 1 point off a coveted Champions League place.
Going further back Watford have won 5 out of their last 7 so I can’t see Vicarage Road being the easiest of places for Jurgen Klopp to pick up Liverpool’s stuttering season.
The last two games has only seen them record 1 point with a defeat at Newcastle and they were made to work for a draw at home to West Brom last weekend in a game where Tony Pulis and Jurgen Klopp crossed each other of their respective Xmas cards list.
Liverpool really need a win today as anything less than that will see them cast adrift of the teams chasing for that final Top 4 slot, the main task is going to be keeping Deeney and Ighalo quiet but the club haven’t kept a clean sheet since Jurgen Klopp’s opening game in charge at Tottenham
Daniel Sturridge is still out injured but they should have firepower in the form Christian Benteke to cause Watford a nuisance especially if the supporting cast of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino can get a foot n the game.
I’m going to go with a Liverpool win this afternoon otherwise it’s not going to be the best of Christmas’ up on Merseyside with both clubs potentially sitting outside the European places. Away win for me