Firmino Gets 10, Salah With 9.5 | Liverpool Players Rated In Five-Star Victory Vs Watford | OneFootball

Liverpool faced off against Watford at Vicarage Road earlier this afternoon as they looked to return to winning ways in the Premier League. The Reds made a dominant start to the game and took the lead in the ninth minute courtesy of Sadio Mane’s finish from close range. Roberto Firmino doubled Liverpool’s advantage in the 37th minute with an easy finish from point-blank range. Jurgen Klopp‘s men went into the half-time interval with a commanding two-goal lead.

Firmino struck again in the 52nd minute when he scored with a calm strike after capitalising on Craig Cathcart’s mistake. Mohamed Salah scored a world-class goal just two minutes later as he beat five Watford defenders before slotting the ball home with an excellent finish. Firmino went on to complete his hat-trick in injury-time as the Reds ran away with a 5-0 victory away from Hertfordshire.

Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against the Hornets.

GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 7/10

The 22-year-old hardly had to do anything in the first half but deserves a lot of credit for making two key saves in the second. It was a well-deserved clean sheet for him today.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10

He was solid at the back and made one key chance in the opposition half. He got replaced after the hour mark.

CB: Joel Matip – 7/10

Matip did what was required of him on the defensive end of the field and will be quite content with the clean sheet today.

CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7.5/10

The Dutch centre-back was calm on the ball and sprayed some terrific long balls during the game. Van Dijk will be satisfied as he didn’t give the Watford attackers too many sniffs at goal.

WATFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 16: Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Mohamed Salah after scoring their side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Liverpool at Vicarage Road on October 16, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

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LB: Andrew Robertson – 7.5/10

The Scotland international made plenty of driving runs with the ball and got stuck in with some crunching tackles as well. He was substituted in the 63rd minute.

CM: Naby Keita – 7/10

Keita did his fair share of defending and was unfortunate to hit the crossbar in the first half. However, he was a bit selfish in the final third.

CM: Jordan Henderson – 7/10

The Liverpool captain controlled the game quite well at the centre of the park and was full of energy throughout the game.

CM: James Milner – 8/10

Milner put in a tireless display in midfield and picked a great assist during the game before being replaced in the 82nd minute.

RW: Mohamed Salah – 9.5/10

The Egypt international caused all kinds of problems for the Hornets throughout the 90 minutes. He set up Sadio Mane’s goal with an excellent pass before going on to score himself with another world-class goal in the second half.

ST: Roberto Firmino – 10/10

The Brazilian striker was always there in the right place at the right time as he scored three easy goals to cap off a fine performance for his team.

LW: Sadio Mane – 8/10

Mane gave Liverpool the all-important lead with a clinical finish. He was a constant menace down the left wing but didn’t do enough to get himself another goal.

Substitutes:

LB: Konstantinos Tsimikas – 6.5/10

He kept a good defensive shape inside his half and was lively in the opponent’s half.

CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6/10

The ex-Arsenal playmaker added some energy to Klopp’s midfield.

RB: Neco Williams – 7/10

Williams came off the bench and picked an assist for setting up Firmino’s third goal in injury-time.