Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores warns predators off Ighalo and Deeney

Deeney and Ighalo have given Watford a chance of staying in the Premier League

 

JURGEN KLOPP has proved a fiery character since taking over at Liverpool. Today he needs to work out a way of putting out the fire provided by Watford's two hottest properties.

 

Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney have already bagged 15 goals between them in their first Premier League season together with Ighalo's 10 being more than Olivier Giroud and Sergio Aguero. And double what Liverpool's top scorer, Philippe Coutinho, has managed.

It's why Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has warned predators they will be wasting their time trying to poach his prize pair when the January window opens.

Ighalo, who turned down a £10million move to China in the summer, and Deeney, also a transfer target, have been the main reasons Watford have had such a fairytale return to the Premier League.

 

But Flores insisted: "In meetings I have had with the owner and the sporting director we have never talked about the possibility of these players leaving in the middle of the season.

"My expectation is that they will keep them in our team and we are talking about covering different positions in January rather than selling players.

"It's very important to think about how we can improve the team. We have a lot to learn yet."

And that, he believes, is one thing he and Klopp have in common and why he is hoping to help teach him a lesson today as part of the German's learning curve.

The Spaniard said: "He's a very positive manager, but he is in a moment where he wants to learn as quickly as possible about the Premier League and English football.

 

"Sunday is the first time I will oppose Klopp in a match. He doesn't look under pressure. His philosophy is attacking; always thinking about how to score more goals.

"He will take it slowly, step by step. He wants to know about the Premier League because it is completely different to the Bundesliga.

"He's probing a lot of things and when he finally decides what is his first eleven is Liverpool will go all out for the top."

But that's the end of the admiration as far as the Watford coach is concerned. Klopp's occasional touchline antics will be blanked.

Flores added: "I will be focusing on Liverpool as a team ­not their coach. Players are the most important people.

"I will be thinking about Adam Lallana, James Milner and Christian Benteke more than the thoughts of Jurgen Klopp."