Amrabat hoping for Anfield surprise against Liverpool

Oli Fisher
Nordin Amrabat: Hoping Hornets can sting Reds

Nordin Amrabat: Hoping Hornets can sting Reds

Nordin Amrabat is hoping Watford’s recent form can lead to them springing a surprise when they travel to face Liverpool next weekend.

The Hornets beat struggling Hull 1-0 on Saturday courtesy of a late Michael Dawson own goal and have now lost just one of their last seven Premier League outings.

Walter Mazzarri’s side sit above reigning champions Leicester and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in the table having enjoyed their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign.

Saturday’s victory came despite the fact Watford are under investigation by the English Football League following allegations made by the Daily Telegraph last week.

They centre on Gino Pozzo’s sole takeover of the club in 2014, when he assumed complete control from his father Giampaolo, and the alleged use of a forged banking letter.

Watford, who are also carrying out their own independent investigation into the matter, could face a fine or a points deduction if the claims are proven to be accurate.

But matters on the pitch remain upbeat and Amrabat, man of the match against the Tigers, is now looking forward to facing Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool next time out.

“We played really good, we created a lot of chances, we deserved to win and we are happy that we won the game,” he told watfordfc.com

“Now we are going to see next week, we go to Liverpool away, it will be a nice game, but a tough game, hopefully we can do something that people don’t expect.

“I think everybody Is looking forward to playing at Anfield, we have got a lot of confidence and this week we are going to train hard for sure, and the coach will prepare us well, we will listen to him and hopefully we can surprise them (Liverpool) as well.

“We have a lot of confidence, we are playing good. When you look to Middlesbrough we weren’t good, Swansea first half wasn’t good but we need to play like we did against Hull. If we play from behind we create more.”

 

Spring in the step

Frustration fix: Watford boosted by late own goal

While Watford are enjoying a superb start to the campaign, Dawson’s own goal condemned Hull to a sixth straight Premier League defeat.

Mike Phelan’s side have not won a league game since August and, even though they did not get humbled in the same manner as against Liverpool (5-1) and Bournemouth (6-1) in their previous two away matches in the top flight, the former Manchester United assistant admits the latest reverse is another blow.

However, he has urged his team not to let their heads drop.

“There’s a lot of disappointment around after this result but as a staff we have to help the players to keep going,” he said.

“There are more games coming up and hopefully our luck will change. We have to stay positive to pick up points.

“Watford came out of the traps quickly at the start and looked to exploit our left side, which we expected but I thought we stuck at things well and deserved to take something from the game.

“The three at the back played well and the wing-backs performed as well as could be expected. We just need that little bit of quality from them when we get further up the field.

“We’re having opportunities to cause problems for teams, but if you’re not tidy enough with the final ball you can’t hurt them. We need to improve that aspect of our play.”