Reds thrash Hornets to go top of the league

The Reds destroyed poor Watford with a stunning attacking master-class, led by the Samba style of Braziliant Brazilians Philippe Coutinho and Rpberto Firmino.

Both men scored a goal each and had a hand in two more as Jurgen Klopp's side produced football that was less heavy metal and more a symphony of style.

Coutinho, who is simply on fire at the moment, started it with a brilliant cross that Sadio Mane converted, then he cut inside himself to fire home a second.

Emre Can was gifted a third from Adam Lallana's superb cross just before the break, and then Firmino tapped in after Lallana repeated the trick, before Mane got a second.

Watford were stunned, and could only reply late on when full back Daryl Janmaat produced a good finish, with the Hornets relieved at that stage they weren't buried under an avalanche of goals.

But Liverpool had the last laugh as substitute Georginio Wijnaldum added a sixth late on.

Here our reporter David Maddock offers some observations:

1. Coutinho and Firmino the deadly duo

There is a contest going on between Coutinho and Firmino to decide who is the best player in the Premier League right now. It's a close call, with Coutinho's end product in terms of assists and goals offering an obvious argument, but Firmino's ability to dictate the pace of a game possibly shades it.

2. Five-star attack unstoppable at the moment

The whole Reds front five are not just on top of their game, but on fire, which explains why they are top of the table going into the international break. There is a consistency about them at the moment, that only perhaps Chelsea's forward line can get close to.

3. Liverpool could be clear at the top by Christmas

If they maintain that consistency for a couple of months, then there's a chance Liverpool can open up a bit of a gap over the Christmas period...and that would be an ominous position to be in, given most of their rivals at the top of the table should all still be embroiled in the Champions' League in the New Year.

4. Henderson the new conductor

While pondering Liverpool's laden attacking menace, spare a brief thought for the contribution of Jordan Henderson, who sits deeper to allow the five in front of him to inter-change at will. He is top of the passing stats for a reason – and his is like a conductor in this Reds team.

5. Better days will come for Watford

Poor Watford never recovered from Mane's too easy opening goal from a corner. Before then, it seemed their game plan of frustration and counter pace would work. After, it seemed only a question of how many. They will not always face attacks this good, but it does burst their recent bubble somewhat.

Source: Daily Mirror

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