Liverpool made things tough for Watford as the Hornets were thrashed 5-0 at Anfield thanks to a Mohamed Salah masterclass.
Liverpool coolly bounced back from their defeat to Manchester United and duly thrashed Watford at Anfield, but the essential credit should be for Mohamed Salah.
The Egypt international produced a masterclass performance, scoring four goals and providing an assist as Liverpool closed the gap to the second spot.
If the pre-match talk was about how Salah could benefit from Harry Kane’s injury in the race for the Golden Boot, he took advantage of the situation. Salah now has 27 Premier League goals and firmly on top of the goalscoring charts, and this could only be the beginning of his march towards the top scorer’s prize.
Apart from Salah, his partners in the attack, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane too are due for praise for their contribution to Liverpool’s emphatic win against Watford. The defence too made rare mistakes, although kept a well deserved clean sheet in the end.
This is how Liverpool’s stars’ rated against the Hornets;
Loris Karius – 7/10
Karius had a tidy performance in between the sticks. A few moments where he went for some of those dangerous balls sent into the Liverpool box but was clean enough to take them. Made some decent saves, but was mostly untroubled.
Andrew Robertson – 8/10
If one of Liverpool’s early season concern was the left-back spot, then Robertson has come to be the solution. His performances this season at left-back has been nothing short of brilliant at times. Against Watford, he was involved heavily in Liverpool’s attack and was credited with an assist for Salah’s second goal for the night.
Joel Matip – 7/10
Matip hardly played a foot wrong throughout the 90-minutes played. Came into the side at the expense of Lovren, who seemed entirely exposed against Manchester United. Took his chance well and could become a regular starter if performances like these prevail.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7/10
As has been the case in the last few games, Van Dijk marshalled the Liverpool defence to his best and kept things quiet for Watford attackers. The highlight of this performance was to keep Troy Deeney entirely out of the equation as he was unable to force his way past the Dutchman.
Joe Gomez – 7/10
Like his fellow defenders, Gomez too had a great game. Very classy display from the fullback after replacing Alexander-Arnold in the starting XI. His chief work on the night was to keep Richarlison quiet, and he did so with great measure. Otherwise contributed going forward and solid in defence barring rare moments of nerves.
Jordan Henderson – 5.5/10
Henderson came back into the starting lineup but had a rusty performance. A defensive error presented Watford, by far their best chance of the game, although it went unpunished. Had a few shining moments in attack but was overall tidy in everything he did.
Emre Can 5/10
A steady performance till he was injured and replaced by James Milner in the first half.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7/10
Wijnaldum was Liverpool’s leading man in midfield. He went through many physical challenges in the middle of the park and looked like he liked such a game. Was replaced midway through the second half by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Sadio Mane – 8/10
Mane provided the assist for the first goal and had a big hand in releasing Robertson for the second. Had a crucial role to play in Liverpool’s relentless attack but on his own was seen missing some good chances. Did great service to Firmino and Salah in the attack.
Roberto Firmino – 8/10
Currently, his best Liverpool season ever after scoring Liverpool’s third and his 23rd goal in all competitions. But the highlight would be the goal he scored of a low Salah cross inside the box, although he could have added a few more.
Mohamed Salah – 10/10
A masterclass performance by Liverpool and Premier League’s signing of the season by a distance. Scored four goals and provided an assist in a performance heralded by many as one of the best they have seen. It would be very lengthy to describe each goal scored in detail, but overall a top-class performance from the Premier League’s top scorer.
Subs –
James Milner – 6.5/10
Milner replaced Can in the first half and provided what he does the best. His work-rate was exceptional and kept Liverpool ticking in midfield.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10
Replaced Georginio Wijnaldum in the second half and came in to take control where the Dutchman left it. Had a few moments in attack but kept his team in control of midfield affairs.
Danny Ings – 6.5/10
Came on for Firmino and although he thoroughly deserved Liverpool’s final goal, instead ended up with the assist for Salah’s fourth.
