Liverpool concedes late goal, draws 3-3 at Watford in EPL

The opening fixture usually invites a flood of excitement over the players that make up a club’s first matchday of the season.

Stefano Okaka opened the scoring with just eight minutes gone, with Abdoulaye Doucoure re-establishing the Hornets lead shortly after Sadio Mane had equalised.

If Liverpool do manage to overcome Julian Nagelsmann’s side, their season will require a well-stocked squad, which they hoped to solve over the summer. There are problems at Liverpool, and they face Hoffenheim in the Champions League qualifiers on Tuesday.

“It’s not about this, Phil is not available for us, that’s the biggest issue that he’s not available to play”.

Scotland global Andy Robertson, acquired from Hull for £8 million, may be the answer to Liverpool’s problems at left-back, while young striker Dominic Solanke arrives from Chelsea with glowing reports of his potential.

Their defensive display showed how much Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk would be welcomed at Anfield.

Liverpool rallied and Roberto Firmino levelled from the penalty spot after debutant Salah was fouled, with the Egypt global then edging the visitors ahead only for Britos to pounce from a late corner and give Marco Silva a positive first outing as Watford boss. His deliveries from corners were also impressive, setting up Joel Matip who rattled the crossbar. Heurelho Gomes starts in goal behind a back four of Daryl Janmaat, Miguel Britos, Younes Kaboul and Jose Holebas.

“Again we talk about set pieces, we need to be better”, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson said.

There were only 8 minutes on the clock when Watford sent in a corner that Okaka was allowed a free header to put it past Mignolet. Where was the marking?!

Moreno played the ball in to Emre Can, whose flick set up Mane for a precise finish.

Lovren lifted the ball over Watford’s back line, Firmino brilliantly chipped the onrushing Gomes and the Chelsea reject was there to tap it in. The visitors break and Firmino is through on goal, he lobs the keeper and Salah is there to get the last touch from a yard out with an outstretched foot.

Watford manager Marco Silva has said that a draw was “a fair result” after his side began their Premier League season with a memorable encounter against Liverpool today.