Liverpool hammered Watford 5-0 in their best performance since the turn of the year.
Sadio Mane scored both opening goals before Divock Origi plundered the reds third to secure the points in the second half. Virgil van Dijk popped up with two late goals to put the cherry on the top of this result as the reds remain top of the Premier League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to the starting line up and assisted 3 goals, with his team-mate Andy Robertson setting up the other two.
The reds brushed aside the injury to Roberto Firmino on a night in which the reds relit their campaign in sparkling style.
Changes
Firmino wasn't ready to return to the side. He left Old Trafford on crutches at the weekend and this game was always going to be too soon. Divock Origi got the nod over Shaqiri and Alexander-Arnold and the decision proved to be a good one.
Elsewhere Trent Alexander-Arnold was back in the starting line-up. James Milner pushed into midfield, meaning there was no place in the eleven for Jordan Henderson.
From the first whistle the reds looked determined to put in a performance befitting a team sitting at the top of the league and they did just that.
Trent and Milner combined well down the right hand side. Sadio Mane was chosen to occupy a more central position with Origi causing all sorts of problems for Watford down the left hand side.
As it happened: LFC 5-0 Watford
The reds were full of running and Sadio Mane registered the opening goal in the 10th minute when he headed in a peach of a cross from Trent AA.
Ten minutes later the same duo combined to add a second. Good running from Mo Salah forced the reds on the attack and Wijnaldum fed the ball for Alexander-Arnold to send a ball into the area. Mane beat the offside trap before backheeling it past Ben Foster.
😱| Sadio Mané might get arrested for this...
It just can’t be legal! pic.twitter.com/4scMp69dNA
— The Kopite (@TheKopiteOFF) 27 February 2019
Mo Salah went on to hit the post in a much improved display from the Egyptian.
Second half and no change in Liverpool's attitude.
Origi had two quick shots in succession blocked as the reds aimed to secure the result. Watford did have a couple of counter attacks but the reds defence, and Alisson's positioning snuffed out the threats.
Mid-way through the second half, the Belgian made the game safe. He picked up the ball at the edge of the box before moving more centrally and unleashing a powerful strike that sailed past Foster. Another important goal in the reds campaign.
Late on and a Liverpool free kick along the wing. Floated in by Alexander-Arnold, headed in by Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutch maestro then added a second. The move began with an almost identical free kick from Arnold but this time it required a return ball from Andy Robertson for big Virg to put it away.
5-0 on the night and the reds now have the final 10 games of the season to continue the fight. Man City sneaked a 1-0 home win over West Ham from the penalty spot so the reds remain one point ahead at the top.
