Liverpool front three make quick work of Watford

Liverpool further cemented its status as Premier League leaders with a resounding 5-0 win over Watford.

In what was supposed to be a game of renewed hope for Watford — it was Claudio Ranieri’s debut — only served as a reminder the club has a lot of work left to do.

The visitors spoiled the party rather early as Sadio Mane quickly put Liverpool in front early. They did not take their foot off the gas as Roberto Firmino scored his first of three goals in the first half. The Reds went into the break up by two.

Each member of the Liverpool front three found themselves on the score sheet

The second half followed the same recipe as the first with Firmino getting his second in the 52nd minute. Mohamed Salah opened his account two minutes later.

Firmino capped off his day with a goal in stoppage time. With all three Liverpool forwards scoring, the attention was nonetheless on Salah who continued his excellent run of form. Jürgen Klopp was full of praise for the Egyptian after the match.

"“Come on, who is better than him?” Klopp asked. “We don’t have to talk about what Messi and Ronaldo have done for world football and their dominance but, right now, he is the best.“His performance was massive today. The pass for the first goal was great, and the second goal was special. He is top, we all see it.”Source: The Guardian"

It was Salah’s ninth goal in eight games, giving him 10 on the season.

Ranieri could not have asked for a worse opponent to start off his stint with Watford. The home side were completely overmatched.

"“We knew very well what happens. Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world and maybe the players were nervous and wanted to show the new manager. There were some bad things, but some good things. In the last 20 minutes we were toe to toe with Liverpool. I now know more about the players. We have had training, but now we have a game and the game is truth.“It is a big job here, but if my players understand me it will get a little smaller. It will be OK. We are ready to work hard.”Source: BBC"

In the grand scheme of things, perhaps the game against Liverpool was already chalked off as a loss. It was going to take a near perfect performance for the 16th-placed team on the table to get one over the league leaders.

The schedule does not get any easier for Watford as they take on Everton next, followed by Southampton. These may be the most winnable matches before they have to face Arsenal, Manchester United and Leicester City.

Liverpool may have felt they let two points get away in their draw against Manchester City before the international break. They made sure not to repeat the same mistake this time around.

They travel to Madrid to take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League before the derby at the weekend against Manchester United.