Liverpool 6-1 Watford: The final verdict

'Liverpool, Liverpool, top of the league,' they roared. An old favourite had been dusted off.

As a beleaguered Watford continued to suffer at the hands of Jurgen Klopp's juggernaut, the chant grew louder.

For the first time in 916 days Liverpool find themselves looking down on all of their Premier League rivals.

Not since those dark days of early May 2014 when their title dream ended in heartbreak after those gut-wrenching setbacks at the hands of Chelsea and Crystal Palace have the Reds sat on top of the pile.

It's been some journey back to the summit. From the brink of glory, Brendan Rodgers' reign lurched into crisis before Klopp lifted the club off its knees and set about masterminding a revival.

Here was the fruits of Klopp's labour over the past 13 months. Here was what Liverpool have become with the charismatic German at the helm.

They are a ruthless, relentless force, demolishing opponents with a breathtaking brand of attacking football.

Pity poor Watford, hit for six having not conceded a goal in their previous three matches.

Remarkably, this was the fifth time in 11 league games this season that the Reds have scored four or more.

After Chelsea's show of force against Everton 24 hours earlier, Klopp's men responded in style, taking full advantage of Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham all dropping points.

Liverpool have mounted sporadic title challenges during the Premier League era but nothing quite like this. Their tally of 30 goals at this stage is unprecedented.

Three years ago they remained in touch during the first half of the campaign before launching a Luis Suarez fuelled charge from February onwards.

This is very different. Klopp's Reds are the pace-setters having made light of their treacherous set of autumn fixtures.

Liverpool don't just keep winning, they are striking fear into their rivals by the manner in which they are doing it.

Klopp may have played down the significance of going top in early November but nevertheless this was an important milestone in his Anfield reign.

There is a growing belief both in the dressing room and in the stands that the Reds are capable of staying there.

Ask yourself which other squad would you rather have? Nobody else has a front four to hold a candle to Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana.

Mane struck twice against Watford with Coutinho and Firmino also on target, while the classy Lallana provided two assists.

Nobody else is blessed with the kind of strength in depth which has someone of Daniel Sturridge's calibre as an impact substitute.

Ask yourself who would you rather have pulling the strings? The fact is that Klopp is a winner. He knows what it takes to win titles. Nothing fazes him.

By developing the talent he inherited and buying wisely, Klopp has created a slick, cohesive unit where everyone knows their role.

From front to back against Watford, they were outstanding. No weak links. Nobody being carried.

This is a team bursting with pace and quality but it's all underpinned by a tireless work ethic.

There are supremely gifted individuals but they aren't a one-man band – underlined by the fact that Gini Wijnaldum became Liverpool's 13 different scorer this season.

A year ago this weekend Klopp bemoaned that he felt “pretty alone” after dejected supporters left early towards the end of a home defeat to Palace. Twelve months on he had 53,000 jubilant fans for company as the Reds produced a glorious finale. 'Poetry in Motion,' was their verdict.

By the interval Liverpool were 3-0 up and out of sight. The gulf between the two sides was immense.

Maybe Watford were lulled into a false sense of security by an error-strewn opening 15-minute spell when passes went astray.

When the Reds came to life the visitors found themselves chasing shadows. The reason why this Liverpool team is so difficult to stop is because they can hurt you in so many different ways.

The front four of are so elusive for defenders desperately trying to keep them under wraps. They drop off, they interchange, they link up and they all run themselves into the ground.

Even Lucas Leiva, who repaid Klopp's faith in picking him ahead of Ragnar Klavan after Dejan Lovren was ruled out with a virus, should have got in on the act.

The experienced Brazilian, who hasn't scored for Liverpool in 191 appearances dating back six years, was denied by Heurelho Gomes from close range.

Watford simply couldn't handle the mesmerising brilliance of Coutinho. There was a time when the Reds' little magician flitted in and out of games. Now there's no let-up.

The floodgates opened shortly before the half-hour mark. James Milner accepted a short corner from Coutinho and put it back into his path. The delivery was top class and Mane sent a glancing header arrowing beyond Gomes.

Coutinho quickly added a second, picking up Firmino's pass and cutting inside before firing home from the edge of the box.

This was an afternoon for Klopp's artisans as well as his artists. Captain Jordan Henderson gave Liverpool the platform to dominate as he repeatedly shut down space and forced Watford to cough up possession.

Milner also underlined his importance to the side after returning at the expense of Alberto Moreno. Klopp's reserved a trademark fist pump for the sight of Milner charging back to put a sliding tackle in on Troy Deeney.

The third goal just before the break came from a different source as Lallana's inviting cross from the right was nodded past substitute keeper Costel Pantilimon by Emre Can.

Watford's players resembled rabbits caught in the headlights and there was more torment for them in the second half.

Firmino helped himself to the fourth, turning in Lallana's centre after more good work from Henderson.

The Brazilian then turned provider as he cleverly presented Mane with his second of the afternoon from close range. The Senegal international soon departed to a standing ovation with Wijnaldum replacing him.

At 5-0, standards slipped temporarily and Loris Karius was thrust into the busiest spell of his Reds career. The German keeper passed the test with flying colours, expertly thwarting Etienne Capoue and Miguel Britos before Daryl Janmaat finally bagged a consolation.

No clean sheet again but this wasn't a day to pick holes.

With Sturridge on for Lallana, Liverpool rallied and they could easily have hit double figures. Twice, Sturridge struck the woodwork and Coutinho missed a sitter.

Ovie Ejaria was handed his Premier League bow and the teenager played a part in the sixth late on.

Ejaria and Firmino combined to find Sturridge. His shot was parried but Wijnaldum gleefully tucked away his first goal for the Reds.

Liverpool are top of the tree. All the glorious evidence suggests they will take some shifting.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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