Firmino hat-trick sinks Hornets as Reds run riot
Jurgen Klopp hailed Mohamed Salah’s “outstanding performance” in Liverpool’s demolition of Watford and reiterated his belief that the Egyptian is the best player in the world.
The forward laid on the early opener for Sadio Mane with an exquisite pass, the Senegal international’s 100th Premier League goal, and produced another stunning individual effort in the second half.
Salah showed impressive footwork to leave multiple defenders behind him as he crafted an opening for a curled strike into the far corner, registering for the eighth consecutive game.
Roberto Firmino also netted a hat-trick as Liverpool condemned Claudio Ranieri to defeat in his first game in charge of the Hornets.
But Salah’s display took centre stage, with Klopp saying: “He was really good today, but the three goals from Bobby was really nice, 100 Premier League goals from Sadio, all these nice stories but we cannot overlook the performance of Mo today.
“It was an outstanding performance, to be honest, I like how he played today and that’s really important for us, that’s why he can win football games.
“The goal was very special, but if you go back a little bit you might find a goal against Watford at home which looks pretty similar to this one.
“He obviously is that kind of player who can do these kind of things so good for us.
“He’s for sure one of the best in the world now, but it’s not about me and who I say is the best.
“For me he is the best, I see him every day, that maybe makes it easier for me, but there’s Robert Lewandowski out there, Cristiano Ronaldo still scoring like crazy and Lionel Messi still scoring on a world-class level.
“But at this moment he is for sure on top of that list.”
Liverpool went ahead after nine minutes. Salah had already rattled the crossbar only to be flagged for offside before Mane’s first-time finish from the Egyptian’s exquisite pass.
Foster had cleared the ball, but Salah won it back before shrugging off Danny Rose to send Mane through with the outside of his boot. The Senegal international timed his run to get ahead of his marker and then slotted the ball past the goalkeeper when one-on-one.
Salah had two more chances to add to Liverpool’s tally before the half-hour mark, but the first was blocked by a defender and the second Foster gathered.
After the early exchanges, Liverpool’s second looked inevitable. The ball made its
way across the pitch from Mane to James Milner on the overlap an he put in a low cross for Firmino to tap home from close range.
After the break, Foster saved well from Salah, before Firmino put the game to bed in the 52nd minute. Andy Robertson attempted to find Salah at the far post when Craig Cathcart intercepted, forcing Foster into a save, but he could only parry and it was another tap-in for the Brazilian.
Salah then showed impressive footwork to leave multiple defenders behind him as he crafted an opening for a curled strike into the far corner.
It looked as if the game would end 4-0 before Firmino turned home a ball across the box from sub Neco Williams at the death.
It was not the welcome return to the Premier League that former Chelsea and Leicester boss Ranieri would have hoped for.
He said: “We know it was a difficult match. I think we were very nervous and after nine minutes we concede a goal and I think some of their goals were our presents.
“I watch some bad things about my team, but I watch some good things. I know I have
to work very hard and I am ready to work.”