Troy Deeney wants Watford to set a high standard on Saturday afternoon’s game away at Liverpool.

The Hornets take on the league leaders in the weekend’s early kick off in what will be new head coach Nigel Pearson’s first game in charge.

While the captain admits they could have eased the former Leicester boss in with an easier fixture, he still thinks there is no excuse for his side not performing.

“I would have wished for him to get a better start than Anfield away,” said Deeney.

“But why not take on the biggest challenge that’s out there? If all goes well and we win, it’s a blinder because that’s the standard then isn’t it and that’s what you’ve got to stay at. We’re aware of what’s coming up but this is the heat game. If you want to be involved with the big boys, you’ve got to play the big boys, so let’s have it.”

Deeney is predicting a cautious approach from Pearson in his first match at the helm, as the Hornets hope to provide a stern challenge, while preventing the league’s second highest goalscorers from running riot.

“At Anfield away you don’t want to go and get absolutely spanked in your first game,” he said.”You need a base to build off and also you want to go there and, while showing them respect, show them as little respect as possible to then go: ‘We are Watford, this is what we are about’.

“The boys have definitely got that buzz, that spring in their step where they are all ready to work.”