Liverpool played hosts to Watford at Anfield on Saturday looking to bounce back from their bitter 2-1 loss at Manchester United last weekend. Jurgen Klopp’s side made a dream start to the game when Mohamed Salah scored in the 4th minute. The Hornets defended valiantly after the goal but failed to make an impact in the opposition half. The Reds kept on pushing and doubled their lead through the Egyptian once again when Andrew Robertson put in a wonderful cross from the left flank which Salah finished with ease. The home team took full control of the game and went into half-time 2-0 to the good.
The second half began as the first half ended with the Reds mounting wave after wave of pressure on the Hornets defenders. Roberto Firmino scored in the 49th minute courtesy of an audacious backheel from close range. Mohamed Salah completed his hattrick and scored Liverpool’s fourth goal in the 77th minute after some majestic footwork inside the box. The Reds put the icing on the cake after Salah found the back of the net once again to tap home his fourth and his team’s fifth goal of the night.
It capped off a memorable night for the Merseyside club at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s side ran out 5-0 winners on the night.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the contest.
GK: Loris Karius – 6/10
The German keeper earned a clean sheet but hardly had anything to do in the game. He passed the ball well and did his job when called upon.
RB: Joe Gomez – 7/10
The youngster had a brilliant game down the right flank and put in some great crosses into the box. He was always an outlet on the right side and coped well defensively when facing his goal.
CB: Joel Matip – 6/10
He put in a solid display at the heart of the Liverpool defence which was capped off by a rare clean sheet versus the Hornets.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – 7/10
The Dutch centre-back was calm and composed in defence and commanded his backline to earn another clean sheet for the Reds at Anfield.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 9/10
The Scottish full-back was superb at left-back and put in a magnificent cross for Liverpool’s second goal. It was a memorable performance by the Liverpool left-back in a game where he was effective both offensively as well as while defending.
CM: Emre Can – 6/10
He was unfortunate to go off with an injury midway into the first half.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 6/10
He gave the ball away a few times in the first half but came back strong to put in a tireless shift in midfield.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
He was also caught in possession at times but was always eager to get on the ball and look for cracks in the Watford defence.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 10/10
The Egyptian scored four goals on the night in what proved to be his best performance in English football. He looked classy from the get-go and scored four wonderful goals in Liverpool’s demolition of the Hornets at Anfield.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 8/10
He scored a goal with a delicate backheel finish and could have scored even more if it wasn’t for the heroics of the Hornets keeper.
LW: Sadio Mane – 8/10
He created two goals for Salah and was always a threat to the Watford defence.
Substitutes:
CM: James Milner – 7/10
He came off the bench halfway into the first half and did well to boss the midfield and create some chances for the Reds attackers to pounce on!
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10
He came on and tried his luck with a shot from range but it failed to trouble the Watford keeper.
ST: Danny Ings – 7/10
He came off the bench and got two wonderful chances to score but was denied by a brilliant Orestis Karnezis in the Hornets goal.
