Liverpool must be well-prepared as Watford look to cause shock with new coach

Liverpool have scored a total of 13 goals in their last three games against Watford.

Javi Gracia was the man in charge when the Hornets suffered 5-0 and 3-0 defeats in 2018. This was followed by another five-goal thrashing in February earlier this year.

In fact, Watford's last three visits to Anfield have resulted in 5-0, 5-0 and 6-1 scorelines.

Gracia was not renowned for being a defensive manager, something which played into the Reds' hands.

But the sacking of the Spaniard and his replacement Quique Sanchez Flores has perhaps changed things.

The hard-faced, no-nonsense manager who is widely remembered for that bizarre ostrich comment made during his Leicester days.

Pearson is an organiser, he makes teams hard to beat and ensures they are well-drilled and disciplined.

His teams aren't known for playing free-flowing football but getting the job done.

At Hull, Pearson broke a 66-year record to lead the club to 14 consecutive away games without defeat before gaining promotion with Leicester in 2014.

After he was sacked by the Foxes in 2015, his successor Claudio Ranieri went on to win the Premier League.

Pearson was given credit for building the foundations but the type of attacking football Ranieri employed was a far-cry from the club's previous tactics.

There's no doubt Pearson has been brought in to make the Hornets hard to beat.

Few will have been surprised to see his first game in charge end in a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace.

Neither team managed a shot on target in the first half and Pearson's side ensured the tricky Wilfried Zaha endured a physical afternoon. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will likely get a similar treatment on Saturday.

Watford have failed to score in nine Premier League games this season, more than any other side, and are the only team in the top four tiers of English football yet to hit double figures for league goals this season.

Attacking will not be Pearson's priority but his teams are known for soaking up pressure and hitting opponents on the break.

Scoring early could be crucial for Liverpool but they will have to be prepared for a Pearson team determined to shut them out from the first whistle.