Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool visit mid-table Watford this evening (8pm kick-off) hoping to consolidate their position inside the Premier League’s top four.

The Reds saw both Manchester clubs fail to pick up three points over the weekend, meaning that the Reds go into tonight’s encounter at Vicarage Road third in the table, and a point clear of Jose Mourinho’s United in fifth.

However, both City and United have a game in hand on Klopp’s side so getting points on the board is absolutely vital for the Merseyside outfit, starting in Hertfordshire tonight against a Watford team who have reached the 40-point mark for a second successive campaign.

Walter Mazzarri’s men slipped to 13th in the table following the weekend results, but victory this evening would take them into the top half, and take them closer to achieving their first ever Premier League top ten finish.

And with three consecutive home wins in the league, the Hornets will provide a tough test for Klopp’s Liverpool this evening on what could be a season-defining night for the Reds.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of this evening’s clash, we at Shoot! have identified the THREE key battles which could determine the outcome of tonight’s match…

Daryl Janmaat v Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho has been somewhere near his best in recent weeks as he looks to try and inspire the Reds to a Champions League spot.

The 24-year-old has scored four goals and laid on one assist in his last five Premier League starts for Klopp’s men, and has become their go-to man in the absence of Senegal international Sadio Mane, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Be it from dead-ball situations or when he gets the ball at his feet in the attacking third, Coutinho is confident and in-form, and will cause the Hornets defence issues, most notably right-back Daryl Janmaat.

The 27-year-old moved to Vicarage Road last year after two decent seasons at Newcastle United, but has only managed 13 Premier League starts for the Hornets this term, albeit he has started five of their last six league matches in the right-back slot.

And that means that he’ll come up against a fully firing Coutinho this evening, with the Brazil international set to take up his position on the left side of the front three, and that makes it imperative that both Janmaat and the right-sided centre-back are near the top of their game, otherwise Coutinho has the quality to take the game away from Watford this evening.

Etienne Capoue v Lucas

Etienne Capoue has been one of Watford’s standout performers this season, and they’ll need another solid display from him against Liverpool this evening.

The France international has scored six goals and laid on one assist in 32 Premier League starts for the Hornets this term, including the crucial winner in their 1-0 victory over Swansea a fortnight ago.

But it’s also his all round midfield play, notably his reading of the game and defensive efforts, which will be integral in attempting to win the midfield battle with Liverpool’s Lucas this evening.

The 30-year-old has been deputising in Jordan Henderson’s absence and looks likely to remain in that central midfield spot for the remainder of the campaign as Klopp’s men look to secure a top four finish.

The former Brazil international has started ten times in the Premier League this season, with ten other substitute appearances, yet has been in the line-up on the last four occasions, grabbing assists at home to Everton and in the narrow victory at West Brom.

Although his future looks to be away from Anfield, Lucas is still doing a decent job in the midfield area, and he’ll need to look to dominate Capoue both on and off the ball if the Reds are to have control of the middle, and thus push on to get a vital three points this evening.

Troy Deeney v Joel Matip

Watford captain Troy Deeney was scathing in his criticism of his side’s display in defeat to Hull last time out, and he’ll lead the line in expectation of a response against Liverpool tonight.

The 28-year-old has done his bit this term, netting ten goals and laying on four assists in 32 Premier League appearances, but it is also his ability as an all round striker which has helped Mazzarri’s side reach the 40-point mark for a second successive season.

Deeney is aerially dominant but very adept with the ball at his feet, and it’ll be his strength and overall desire which will test Reds centre-back Joel Matip this evening.

The 25-year-old has been a key cog in the Liverpool backline this term after moving from Schalke last summer, starting 23 Premier League matches for Klopp’s side, including 11 of their last 12 matches.

He has arguably been their standout defender this season with several impressive displays at the heart of an otherwise unconvincing Reds defence, and he’ll have to be strong both in the air and on the ground to get the better of Deeney this evening.