Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané were the stars of the show as Jurgen Klopp’s side thrashed Watford at Vicarage Road in the first game of Claudio Ranieri since return to the Premier League.
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (left) celebrates scoring their side’s second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Vicarage Road, Watford. Picture date: Saturday October 16, 2021. (Photo by Tess Derry/PA Images via Getty Images)
A Roberto Firmino hat-trick, added to Sadio Mané’s milestone opener and Mohammed Salah record equalling goal helped Liverpool to a 5-0 win over Premier League newcomers, Watford as the get the revenge for the defeat at the Vicarage Road the last time out.
Sadio Mané put Liverpool in front in the ninth minute, firing past the Goalkeeper after being played through by Salah to score his 100th goals in the Premier League.
The lead was doubled by Firmino in the 37th minute, firing home from close range from a James Milner’s cross.
The Brazilian made it 3-0 Liverpoool eight minutes before the hour mark before setting up Salah for his 104th record equalling goal in the English top-flight two minutes later.
Mohammed Salah equalled the all-time record for the most Premier League goals scored by an African player with his latest strike taking him level with Didier Drogba.
Firmino completed his hat-trick in the first minute of extra time, connecting well with Neco Williams fling shot toward the far post and poking home from six yards out.
The win take Liverpool to the top of the standings and they also remain the only team unbeaten in the league this season.
Watford move down to 15th due to the goals deficit and will now look to build in their next games, as this one proved too big for Ranieri to get up and running for his new side.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
