MO SALAH has followed up his magnificent goal against Manchester City with a better effort as he sat down half the Watford defence.
The Egyptian sensation seemingly took on the entire Hornets team before slotting past Ben Foster.
And things got even better for Jurgen Klopp’s side as Roberto Firmino bagged a hat trick with a 91st-minute strike.
Sadio Mane had given the Reds the lead with a neat finish from Salah’s assist with the outside of his foot and that set the tone for the afternoon.
- Result: Watford 0-5 Liverpool
- Goals: Mane 9, Firmino 37, 52, 90, Salah 54.
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THANKS FOR JOINING US
That’s all from us today, as Liverpool go top of the Premier League table after thrashing Watford 5-0 at Vicarage Road.
Claudio Ranieri’s first game in the Watford dugout did not go the way he wanted, and he’s got plenty of work to do to with the squad he has inherited.
Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick for the Reds but it’s Mo Salah who will grab the headlines.
He provided the assist for Sadio Mane’s opener but it’s his solo goal that will live long in the memory.
It’s one that could well end up being goal of the season.
The Egyptian goes into Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in sublime form, with Jurgen Klopp labelling him as the best player in the world.
Watford meanwhile go again a week today, facing Merseyside opponents again in the form of Everton.
That’s all from us for now though.
Thanks for joining us, it’s been a pleasure.
AVERAGE POSITIONS
Here’s a look at the average positions of the Watford players, courtesy of Opta.
And you can see just how deep the home side were, with just Hernandez’s and Kucka’s average positions being in Liverpool’s half.
AS IT STANDS
Liverpool remain unbeaten and top the Premier League, albeit having played a game more than Chelsea.
But the lowest the Reds can be come Monday is second, and if Chelsea draw or lose against Brentford later this afternoon Jurgen Klopp’s side will stay top.
WORTH ANOTHER WATCH
You may have seen it already, but why not watch again?
This Mo Salah goal is one that is going to be replayed again and again in the weeks and months to come.
STAT ATTACK
Watford were better in the final 20 minutes after Liverpool changes their right-backs.
But they still managed just two shots on target over the 90 minutes.
RANIERI REACTS
Here are the full time thoughts of Watford boss Claudio Ranieri: “I think we conceded too many chances to them.
“Of course Liverpool is a fantastic team.
“When I came I knew I had to work very, very hard.
“We conceded some goals that were a present from us to them.
“They don’t need this, but I’m sure we can improve.
“We have to improve.”
BEST IN THE WORLD
Jurgen Klopp has hailed Mo Salah as the best player in the world following today’s when.
When asked by BT Sport where Salah ranks in terms of the world’s best, Klopp replied: “Top. Come on we all see it.
“Who is better at the moment than him?
“That’s clear, it’s always discussed these kind of things.
“But we don’t have to talk about what Ronaldo or Messi did for world football or how long they were really dominant, but at the moment I think it’s clear there’s nobody better than him.
“By the way it’s not only since yesterday, he’s already been in that shape for a while.”
BOBBY DAZZLER
Roberto Firmino nets his third goal in the final minute of the game and celebrates after the final whistle with the match ball.
MORE FROM MO
On Liverpool’s title ambitions: “Hopefully we can win the league and we [are] also going for the Champions League.
“So I think it’s important for a team like Liverpool, a club like Liverpool to fight for everything.”
SALAH SPEAKS
Speaking on his incredible form, Mo Salah tells BT Sport: “I’m just trying every time to give 100% from what I have.
“I try to help the team, sometimes I have luck, sometimes not.
“But yeah I’m confident at the moment, I feel like I’m scoring goals [and] helping the team to get the points which is the most important thing.”
WATFORD WOES
Joe Cole is not impressed by Watford’s showing this afternoon.
He’s claimed on BT Sport it’s: “One of the worst performances I’ve seen from a Premier League club.”
FT: WATFORD 0-5 LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp’s side have laid the challenge down to Thomas Tuchel’s side this afternoon.
If Chelsea fail to pick up all three points away at Brentford this afternoon, the Reds will end the day top of the Premier League.
They look like a real force this season.
Especially with Salah in the form that he is, with the Egyptian bagging his seventh Prem goal of the season this afternoon.
He’s the top scorer in the league as things stand.
PEEEEEEEEEP!
THAT’S FULL TIME!
IT WAS THE LAST KICK OF THE GAME!
WATFORD 0-5 LIVERPOOL!
WATFORD 0-5 LIVERPOOL
90. Oxlade-Chamberlain slides the ball into the path of Neco Williams, who pokes it past Rose and rounds him with ease.
The Liverpool sub drives into the box and fires a low ball across the face of goal.
And Firmino pops up on the end of it again, tapping home for his third of the afternoon.
He goes home with the match ball, and Liverpool go home with three points.
What a performance.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLL!
LIVERPOOL MAKE IT FIVE!
AND IT’S A HAT-TRICK FOR ROBERTO FIRMINO!
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
89. That’s another half chance for the hosts.
Ngakia delivers in from the right towards Sarr.
The Watford man gets his head to it, but can’t make a meaningful connection and the Reds clear.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
87. The game is just edging towards the final whistle now.
Watford have got less than three minutes of punishment left to endure.
The Reds are cruising to the top of the league.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
85. The BT Sport cameras have picked up legendary defender Fabio Cannavaro in the Vicarage Road stands.
He probably could have played on his own at the back and done a better job than this Watford backline today.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
84. WHAT A SAVE!
Caoimhin Kelleher is called into action for the first time and makes an excellent stop!
He denies a stinging close-range effort from Ismaila Sarr, tipping the ball onto the post and away to safety.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
83. Here is the substitution.
And it is James Milner who comes off after a good runout.
He grabbed the assist for Firmino’s first goal and was energetic as ever in the middle of the park.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
81. Jurgen Klopp is readying his final change of the afternoon.
Neco Williams looks like he will be coming on.
You would think it would be in place of James Milner at right-back.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
80. Another half chance for the Reds.
A cross in from the right finds Mane unmarked in the box eight yards from goal.
He can’t quite generate enough power on his header though and sends it into the arms of Ben Foster.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
78. Watford win their FIRST corner of the game with just over ten minutes left.
It’s met by huge ironic cheers from the Hornets faithful.
You’d have thought they had scored a goal.
WATFORD 0-4 LIVERPOOL
77. Oxlade-Chamberlain goes long looking for Salah who is one-on-one with Rose.
And as it has been all day there’s only one winner there.
Rose can’t even bring Salah down when he tries to foul him.
The Liverpool man is away, but a slightly heavy touch lets him down and Foster springs off his line to snuff out the danger.
He may have conceded four goals but Foster has had a goos game in between the sticks.
JOB ON HIS HANDS
Claudio Ranieri is discovering just how much work he has to do at Vicarage Road.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
