Referee: Graham ScottAssistants: Marc Perry, Mick McDonoughFourth official: Lee MasonAhh, Watford. Growing up in North Yorkshire, I knew about Watford as the semi-mythical dividing line between London and the rest of the world, with ‘the Watford Gap’ representing the place beyond which Southerners new their country no more. I was disappointed to find out that the Watford Gap was a service station, rather than some actual canyon, and even more astonished to find out, years later, that actually many, perhaps even most Londoners didn’t even know what the Watford Gap was.And I think their football team would have occupied those strange semi-mythical nether regions of ‘things that just don’t matter enough to know about’, where it not for two things: Graham Taylor, and, of course, John Barnes.There’s nothing I can say about either of those two that hasn’t already been done by people more knowledgeable and skilled than I. Suffice it to say, Barnes was and is an untarnished legend, even for those of us who grew up on the Evans version, when injury had killed his place and he’d morphed into something a bit like what Dalglish wanted Charlie Adams to be for us, had Adams only been good. Even in that mode he was still a beautiful footballer to watch – the explosiveness swapped for control, and the lack of pace only serving to highlight just how quick his football brain was. As for Taylor, I’d say he’s probably a better man than a club like England ever deserved, and his achievements with Watford are right up there – from bottom division to top in 5 years. His decade-long stint ultimately included a 2nd place finish and two FA cup finals. A helluva climb.In recent years, Watford had seemed to sink back into those nether regions before and Italian consortium bought them out and did two things that are incredibly offensive to the English football establishment: 1) Hiring a succession of lesser known foreign managers and 2) Actually being reasonably successful with this strategy. Watford have made themselves an obdurate, physical side but one with a lot more tactical sophistication than that description implies, and not a little bit of finesse.Originally, I had hoped to write this article in the Spyin’ Kop style but unfortunately my Watford supporting colleague has fucked off to (I hope for him) more gainful employment, leaving this preview somewhat in the lurch. As such, I’ve decided to get in touch with what I expect will be the worst Sir Elton John impression you've ever read to see what he can tell us about tomorrow evening’s opponents.RAWK: Alright Elton, or is it Mr. John?EJ: Wotcha mate, Ewton’s fine.RAWK: Since when do you speak with a Van Dijk esque cockney accent?EJ: Apples and Pears, mate. You’re the one ‘oldin’ the proverbiaw pen.RAWK: True. Tell us about Watford, how do you feel about the season so far?EJ: Wew, we’ve solidified a lot since sacking our boy Siwva. I fort we migh’ ‘uv le’ ‘im go to early bu’ wiv ‘is resuwts a’ Ever’on and our increasing solidi’y this season it’s looking like the right decision. We haven’t exactly climbed the tabuw like a rocket, man, but seventh is extremely respectabuw for a club of our resources.RAWK: Who are you scared of, and who should we be scared of?EJ: Maybe scared int the right word, but I lavvabita that Virgiw. Beauwi’fuw player. Looks like ‘e was sculpted by Michaelangela. Lavverly. E’z one I wouldn’t sacrifice If I wuz a Livapoow fan, use yer loaf etc.RAWK: What about Watford? Who’s your threat?EJ: Wew, Troy is if you’re ancient Greece, arencha? Against you lot, though, that tiny dancer Pereira’s been as fretening as anyone, and Doucore don’t take no prisonah’s – if e’s still standin’, we’ve got a chance.RAWK: Thanks Elton, predictions?EJ: Listen, your title challenge ‘as been a bit like a candle in the wind recently, fluttering, knawha’ahmean? So I’m ‘opin it’s a good time to play ya. Don’t go breakin’ my ‘eart wiv a backlash now, eh?RAWK: Cheers Elton. Thanks again and send our love to your family. EJ: Fanks, I do lavvem a lot, my dahlings they are. So there you go. Recent results against them have been mixed, a frustrating 3-3 last season followed by Salah’s symphony in the snow and a comfortable win at their place earlier this season. It’s a game we should win at Anfield but, I don’t know about you but I never feel 100% confident against Watford. They’re an opponent to be respected if not necessarily feared, and they never feel like a walkover these days. What do you think?Have you witnessed a worse Elton John impression?Key battles?Predictions?Line-ups using player combinations and formations that Klopp has never shown any indication of picking but that you’ve just got a funny hunch about? Let us know below!
Thanks to CT
I said Mane was going to be key for us
