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Van Dijk and Mane get a 9, who gets a 9.5? – Liverpool player ratings from 5-0 win over Watford

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By Thomas Hein

Liverpool
Liverpool players against Watford

Liverpool vs Watford ratings: Liverpool player ratings

Liverpool destroyed Watford 5-0 at Anfield to allay some fears of them running out of fuel in the Premier League race.

The Reds had drawn against Manchester United in their previous game and barely attacked an injury-plagued side.

However, from the first minute, the Reds attacked the Hornets and the first goal came early with Sadio Mane heading in a peach of a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Senegal star then combined with TAA to score the second with a brilliant backheel in the 20th minute.

More magic in the second half

The Reds didn’t let up and Divock Origi got on the score-sheet with a great finish after cutting in from the left. The Belgian played alongside Mohamed Salah and Mane and did a great job despite starting on the wing.

Salah had one of those games where he tormented the opposition but could not score. The Egyptian did hit the post, but he just couldn’t get enough clear-cut chances.

The thumping win was confirmed late on as Virgil van Dijk scored a brace thanks to crosses from TAA and Andy Robertson respectively.

The win kept us on top of the table despite Manchester City sneaking a 1-0 win over West Ham.

Our next tie is the Merseyside derby on Sunday, and here are the player ratings for the Reds.

Liverpool player ratings

Alisson – 8/10

The Brazilian didn’t have much to do in the first half except keep the team ticking along from the back, but made one fantastic save from Andre Gray in the second.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9.5/10

TAA had one of his best games this season as he provided three assists and was excellent in defending a tough Watford side too.

Virgil van Dijk – 9/10

The Dutch colossus was magnificent in keeping Troy Deeney quiet throughout the game. It was made all the more sweeter thanks to a couple of goals in the second half.

Joel Matip – 8.5/10

Matip might not have been the first choice partner for Van Dijk, but the Cameroon defender is certainly proving his worth with a quality performance.

Andy Robertson – 8.5/10

Robertson also provided a couple of assists, the second one to Van Dijk, as the Scot kept on piling the pressure down the left.

James Milner – 7.5/10

Milner started it all out with his pressing right from the kick-off, and he kept that energy up until he was subbed.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 7.5/10

Wijnaldum didn’t have to do much in midfield but kept things ticking in the middle of the park.

Fabinho – 8.5/10

The Brazilian was great in keeping Watford in check and had a couple of quality interceptions to keep the Hornets out.

Mohamed Salah – 7.5/10

The Egyptian played down the right and on another day he could have got a goal. Salah tormented the Watford defence but was just missing a bit of luck in the final third.

Divock Origi – 7.5/10

Origi did a lot of hard work down the left and was rewarded for his persistence with a goal. The Belgian certainly put in a shift and it will be interesting to see if he starts against Everton.

Sadio Mane – 9/10

Mane played down the middle and scored one brilliant header and a fantastic backheel too. The Senegal star could be the solution to our problems as Roberto Firmino is out with an injury.

Substitutes

Jordan Henderson – 7/10

The captain replaced Milner in the second half to keep things ticking along.

Adam Lallana – 6

The Englishman picked up some valuable minutes and tried his best to help in the attack.

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Naby Keita – NA

Got a few minutes for the side.