Liverpool have drawn their opening game in the 2017/18 Premier League season, despite their best efforts to drop all three points. 

In an attempt to buoy spirits around the place, the Reds were said to be set on losing the opening fixture to make it evident to fans that the only way was up following an opening day of dismay.

 

Jurgen Klopp’s side looked to be screwed from the outset following the introduction of Alberto Moreno to the starting XI, a move which surprised absolutely no one familiar with “the Liverpool way”.

Moreno – an outcast of the side who was dropped at left-back for a central midfielder last season – started ahead of the man who dominated his role last year (James Milner) and the man bought to replace him in the summer (Andy Robinson).

The Reds went a goal down inside of ten minutes in true Liverpool fashion. With defenders marking space, Okaka steamed into a free area and headed home virtually through the hand of Simon Mignolet, named yesterday by his manager as the “strongest candidate” for the number one spot to begin the season.

Sadio Mane and Mo Salah clearly had wires crossed as they missed a multitude of opportunities on their respective weak foot, clearly an intelligent move to play the wingers on inverted sides.

Mane did his best to correct things however, as he scored a fine goal following some wonderful interchange on the edge of the Watford box.

At risk of letting the side down in their quest to fail, however, Alberto Moreno acted quickly to dive on little or nothing and leave space in behind him for Doucoure to sneak in for a quick fire reply, standing Liverpool at 2-1 losers before the half was up.

Disappointment was almost not to be, however, as a Firmino penalty prior to a Salah tap-in turned the tables and left Liverpool and their fans alike shocked to be looking like they would leave Vicarage Road with all three points.

The game was not ended with ease however, as the Merseyside club did manage to squeeze in one final corner of calamity.

Watford gave Liverpool the chance to clear, initially mis-hitting the corner to the front post before heading the loose ball straight into the midriff of Gini Wijnaldum, but the Reds put the shutters down on their hopes of a win and allowed an offside Miguel Britos to man-handle Mingolet before prodding the ball over the line.

Jurgen Klopp is said to be bitterly disgusted by the team’s inability to come away with nothing despite the absence of Philipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, who both remain fully committed, integral parts of the club’s season.