Talking points: Free-scoring Reds, relentless Robbo, Van Dijk's Anfield record and more
A powerful performance saw Liverpool beat Southampton 4-0 on Saturday.
Diogo Jota’s brace was added to by goals from Thiago Alcantara and Virgil van Dijk as the Reds ran out convincing winners over the Saints.
Here are six talking points from a satisfying afternoon at Anfield…
Goals, goals, goals
Jürgen Klopp’s side have now, incredibly, scored two or more goals in 17 consecutive matches in all competitions.
Only once before has this feat been achieved by an English top-flight team: Sunderland, way back in 1927.
The free-scoring Reds have netted 39 times in their 13 Premier League fixtures this season - their highest total at this stage of a top-flight campaign - while Jota’s second of the afternoon was the 700th goal scored during Klopp’s reign.
Returning Robbo relentless
Having returned from international duty with an injury, Andy Robertson missed last weekend’s victory against Arsenal and appeared as a substitute versus FC Porto on Wednesday.
The Scotland skipper was restored to the starting XI on Saturday, though, and performed at his vibrant best.
He teed up Jota for his second-minute opener and was a constant menace: creating more chances (four), making more passes in the opposition half (41) and completing the joint-most sprints (26) during the game.
Robertson also provided four crosses and regained possession on nine occasions throughout an impressive, intense display.
The big man
Van Dijk’s crisply struck volley from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint corner represented the Dutchman’s first goal since the opening day of last season against Leeds United.
Of course, his 2020-21 campaign was brought to a premature end by a serious knee injury, but the fit-again centre-back has played every minute of the current Premier League season.
Against his former club, Van Dijk led the way in the metrics of passes (70), accurate passes (64) and clearances (six), while he also regained the ball 10 times and won both aerial duels he contested.
It’s also worth noting that he has now played 54 Premier League games at Anfield for Liverpool – and has lost zero.
Remarkable.
Off to a flyer
Jota’s first goal arrived after just 97 seconds which makes it Liverpool’s earliest in the Premier League for more than two-and-a-half years, since Naby Keita’s strike versus Huddersfield Town.
The Portugal forward has been directly involved in 10 goals (nine goals, one assist) in his last 14 starts across all competitions for the Reds and has netted seven times in 12 top-flight appearances this term.
“Diogo: exceptional player, exceptional boy,” said Klopp post-match.
“It was for us two years ago, one-and-a-half years ago, a perfect signing because he has everything that a Liverpool player in this squad needs. He has the technical skills, he has the physical skills and he is very smart and can learn all the tactical stuff pretty quick.
“He has the speed, has the desire to finish situations off really good. I think his goalscoring record is pretty impressive, if I’m right.”
Out on his own
Mohamed Salah was the architect of Jota’s close-range finish that put Liverpool two up just after the half-hour mark.
That assist took the No.11 onto 25 goal involvements (17 goals, eight assists) across all competitions in 2021-22 – more than double the tally of any other Premier League player – and to the landmark of 150 overall in the top flight.
Salah’s quarter-century for the current campaign was recorded in just 18 games, while only Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry required fewer appearances to reach 150 goal involvements in the Premier League.
The Egyptian king.
A perfect week
Liverpool certainly maximised the rare opportunity of playing three home games in the space of seven days.
Arsenal, Porto and Southampton were dispatched consummately by an aggregate score of 10-0 as Klopp’s team returned from the international break in supreme fashion.
Away trips to Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and AC Milan respectively are next on the agenda, with Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park the Reds’ immediate focus.
Bring it on.