Watford striker Troy Deeney has claimed that he and his teammates will be expecting a "war" in Sunday's clash against Liverpool at Anfield.

Walter Mazzarri's side have impressed in the early stages of the season, having lost just once in their last seven top-flight fixtures.

The Hornets, who are unbeaten in their last four matches, are currently seventh in the Premier League table, and they face a team who are level on 23 points with league leaders Manchester City.

Last season, Watford stunned the Reds by sealing a 3-0 victory at Vicarage Road, but Deeney is expecting a tougher test on Merseyside.

"We physically beat them up on the day and the quality we showed in getting the goals was perfect, but it is going to be a different animal away from home," the London Evening Standard quotes Deeney as saying. "They believe they can challenge for the title.

"They are doing well at the minute. I enjoy watching them as a neutral but when I step on the pitch it is war. It will be a massive test and if we are still in seventh after that game then we will be doing all right."

Watford have won four, drawn three and lost three so far this season.