Liverpool went top of the Premier League with a brilliant 6-1 win over Watford at Anfield. The home side displayed exhilarating attacking football throughout the game with all players linking up very well in attack, and the team could have finished with a double-digit goal tally in the match.
The visitors, while thoroughly outplayed by Liverpool, did give some fight and returned with a consolation goal to show for their efforts.
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Missing out on a clean sheet yet again will irk Jurgen Klopp, but seeing his side go into the international break at the top of the table with the highest goals tally and a healthy goal difference will certainly please the manager.
We look at how each player fared in the match.
Liverpool
Loris Karius – 7.5/10
The Liverpool keeper had a much needed solid and convincing game, after a run of some nervy matches in recent times. Karius made some excellent saves, especially in the second half against Capoue. Wasn’t able to keep a clean sheet, but he couldn’t have done much to prevent the Watford goal.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
It was a typical no-frills performance by the ever-reliable Clyne, as he offered solidity at the back when required and regularly made forward runs to help the attack.
Lucas Leiva – 7/10
Picked by Klopp to deputise for the missing Lovren ahead of Klavan, Lucas did the needful by slotting in the defence and using his experience to neutralise Watford’s attacks. However, he will rue missing out on a great chance early in the game to score his first goal in six years.
Joel Matip – 7/10
Matip’s performance in the game again proved that his signature on a free transfer was very shrewd business by Liverpool. The defender was solid and composed at the back and didn’t allow Deeney and Ighalo to have freedom to trouble the goal.
James Milner – 7/10
The versatile Milner returned to slot in at left-back again after illness and was very effective on the left flank, making frequent attacking runs and providing cover at the back.
Emre Can – 7.5/10
The German midfielder seems to be getting close to his best after recovering from injury, which limited his game time earlier in the season. Can scored a third Liverpool goal with a fine header, and consistently made runs into the Watford box.
Jordan Henderson – 8/10
While the Liverpool captain’s performance was overshadowed by that of the attackers, Henderson enjoyed another fine game in the midfield as he controlled the game in the middle and made important interceptions.
Adam Lallana – 8.5/10
Lallana made his mark in the game with two assists (which included an excellent cross for Can’s goal), and constant pressing at the front. His efforts were applauded by the Kop when he was taken off in the 70th minute.
Sadio Mane – 8.5/10
Mane continues to enhance his reputation at Liverpool with two goals and constant involvement in attack build up. The Watford defence often struggled to handle his pace and movement.
Philippe Coutinho – 9/10
The Little Magician continued his brilliant form and ran the show in the game. While Coutinho will rue missing out on some excellent goal-scoring chances, he did get on the scoresheet with a fantastic strike and also assisted the opening goal.
Roberto Firmino – 8.5/10
Coutinho’s Brazilian compatriot, Firmino, also enjoyed a fine game as he scored one and created two goals. He was a constant threat for the Watford defense and could have had more goals in the game
Substitutes
Georgino Wijnaldum – 7/10
Wijnaldum came on in the 63rd minute and ensured the there was no respite for the Watford defence from the Liverpool attack. The midfielder scored in the stoppage time, to score his first Liverpool goal.
Daniel Sturridge – 7/10
Unable to find a spot in the starting XI, Sturridge came on in the 71st minute and was unlucky to not score. Some fine keeping by Pantilimon meant that Sturridge is still yet to score in the league this season, but his performance will encourage Klopp to give more game time to the striker.
Ovie Ejaria – N/A
The teenager came on in the 87th minute to make his Premier League debut.
Watford
Heurelho Gomes – 4/10
It was a game to forget for Gomes as he could take part for just a bit over half an hour before an injury forced him to come off. The Brazilian had a difficult time even before the injury as Liverpool scored 2 within 30 minutes and were a constant threat to his goal with a flurry of attacks.
Daryl Janmaat – 6/10
Janmaat scored a well-taken goal to ensure that Liverpool didn’t have a clean sheet, but didn’t have a good game at the other end as he was unable to handle the pressure created by the Liverpool attack.
Younes Kaboul – 5/10
The experienced Frenchman tried to hold Watford’s defence, but the Liverpool attack proved too good for him to prevent the goals.
Miguel Britos – 5/10
Britos struggled to cope with Liverpool’s attackers just like his fellow defenders and was booked in the second half.
Jose Holebas – 5/10
Holebas also had a game to forget. He struggled against the pace of Mane and was booked for a foul on the Senegalese.
Nordin Amrabat – 7/10
Amrabat was the Hornets’ best player in the game, and tried to create chances for the attack. The Moroccan international provided the assist for Janmaat’s goal.
Valon Behrami – 5/10
The Swiss player was anonymous in the midfield and didn’t have any impact on the game. He was taken off in the 61st minute.
Etienne Capoue – 6.5/10
Capoue didn’t offer much in the midfield but made a couple of forward runs and forced excellent saves from Karius.
Roberto Pereyra – 5/10
Roberto Pereyra also struggled in the midfield and wasn’t able to make any impact.
Odion Ighalo – 5/10
Much was expected from the strike duo of Ighalo and Deeney against Liverpool’s defence, especially in Lovren’s absence. But the duo hardly troubled Karius and the defenders.
Troy Deeney – 5/10
With the midfielders unable to have any control on the game, Deeney was often isolated up front. Joel Matip ensured that the forward had a quiet game and will have to wait for his 100th goal for the club.
Substitutes:
Costel Pantilimon – 5/10
The reserve keeper was forced to come on in the first half because of injury to Gomes. Couldn’t do much to stop the flurry of goals, but made some fine saves to deny Sturridge.
Ben Watson – 5/10
Watson came on in the 61st minute to replace Behrami, but couldn’t make his mark on the game and struggled in the midfield.
Juan Camilo Zuniga – N/A
The Colombian international, on loan from Napoli, came on in the 86th minute to replace Pererya.
