We must be angry against Liverpool, says Watford boss Mazzarri

Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri thinks anger is the key to his side defeating Liverpool on Monday, as the Hornets look to bounce back from their loss to Hull last weekend.

Mazzarri wants his team to channel their frustrations felt after their 6-1 reverse at Anfield in November, which ended an unbeaten run of four matches.

Victory at Vicarage Road would improve Liverpool’s prospects of a top-four finish, while the Hornets, currently tenth, are aiming for their highest ever finish in the Premier League.

“Liverpool will be angry after losing at home, but I hope my players will be more angry as we lost at Hull and conceded six goals at Anfield,” Mazzarri said.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

“The Liverpool and Tottenham games were our two worst games – I did not sleep after these defeats.

“I want them to fight for every ball and be really concentrated.”

Watford are tenth in the league, nine points clear of the drop zone, but Mazzarri says he will not feel comfortable until his team have secured their place in the Premier League for another season.

He said: “We are still not mathematically safe but we are very near safety and that is our target.

“Every match is important and we want to do better and better and value every performance.”