Liverpool's Fluid Front 3 Prove Too Much to Handle as Reds Move Top of Table

ANFIELD, Liverpool — Liverpool have moved clear at the top of the Premier League table, capitalising on Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all drawing at the weekend by beating Watford 6-1 at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's side were absolutely dominant, leading 3-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Emre Can.

Roberto Firmino got the goal his centre-forward play deserved in the second half, then the Brazilian beautifully set up Mane for his second. Liverpool were irrepressible.

It was another case of Coutinho, Mane and Firmino, Liverpool's fluid front three, leaving the opposition's defence mesmerised—Watford hadn't conceded for 298 minutes arriving into this game but found themselves 2-0 behind after 30 minutes and 5-0 behind after 57.

It might easily have been more, too, with chances arriving thick and fast at Anfield throughout.

Klopp's side turned in the kind of display in the opening hour that they've done against Leicester City, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion. Only against West Brom did the goals not arrive en masse, but in each home game except against Manchester United, Liverpool have been far too much for the opposition to handle.

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It was relentless, fluid and fast. It was the fluidity of the formation, and understanding of the players within it, that left Watford chasing shadows. Again, as against West Brom last month, one minute Firmino was the central player furthest forward, the next it was Mane, then Coutinho.

The Reds' front three play so narrow and close together, interchanging beautifully, that it leaves the two box-to-box midfielders, Emre Can and Adam Lallana, to push wide and provide the width. It was Lallana's cross from the right that Can met at the back post for the third goal shortly before half-time.

Arguably, the finest goal of the six for Liverpool was Mane's second, with Firmino working superbly to get ahead of the defence and then, very coolly, slowing down the play to place a superb ball behind the defender, putting it on a plate for the Senegalese's sixth goal of the season—making the £30 million signing the Reds' leading league scorer this season.

According to StatsBomb's James Yorke, Liverpool registered more shots on target against Watford than any team in any Premier League game since at least 2009/10—with 28 attempts and 17 on target. 

Liverpool's attacking excellence is shown by the league table, too, with Klopp's side now the leading scorers with 30 goals from their opening 11 games—four more than their nearest challengers, Chelsea. The dominant scoreline in this match means the Reds' goal difference is now better than rivals Arsenal and Manchester City. 

"It was a good performance, absolutely," surmised Klopp post-match.

But the German refused to get carried away by being top of the table. "When I came here I asked for time, patience and belief, and now after 11 matchdays, everyone's asking for guarantees," he said.

Sturridge, Karius and Goals Shared

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With the score at 5-0, Liverpool brought on Daniel Sturridge, with the England forward still searching for his first league goal of the season. He hit the bar twice—once from 20 yards—and saw another shot saved only for fellow substitute Georginio Wijnaldum to follow up the rebound to score his first goal for the club in stoppage time.

It was unfortunate for Sturridge, who had five shots on goal in his 20-minute cameo—the joint-most amount of any Liverpool player, along with Firmino and Coutinho.

Wijnaldum's goal means Liverpool now have 10 different goalscorers in the Premier League this season—and Sturridge and Divock Origi are yet to register a league goal!

Origi remained on the bench here, as Klopp was able to give 18-year-old Ovie Ejaria his Premier League debut for the final few minutes. It was an ideal match leading into the final international break of the season.

The only blot on the copybook was the goal conceded from wing-back Daryll Janmaat, meaning no clean sheet for Loris Karius, who had made a series of good saves prior to the goal. What that 10-minute spell showed was that it is impossible to play such high-tempo, relentless football for the full 90 minutes. Goals will be conceded, and there will be times Liverpool are unable to control the game with their energy.

"We wasted a little bit of energy," commented Klopp. "We gave them the ball too easy. Watford deserved the goal because they created a few chances and Loris was busy—which is not likely in a game you win 6-1."

It was hard luck on Karius, though, as he deserved a clean sheet with his best display so far. 

Liverpool moved top of the table, with games against Southampton, Sunderland and Bournemouth after the international break. 

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Asked if Liverpool have the players able to cope with the extra scrutiny of being top of the league, Klopp said: "We will have to wait and see. We will stay cool. We knew Arsenal drew against Tottenham before the game, [but] we didn't speak one word about going top of the table."

With 13 different goalscorers in all competitions in just 14 games played, Klopp was asked if this shows how much of a team ethic the Reds have.

"That was the plan in pre-season," he joked. "They all know where the goal is and try to score. It's good to see [different goalscorers]."

Liverpool are really showing their credentials, and as much as Klopp plays down being top of the table after just 11 league games, they are providing compelling reasons with each performance of why they can compete this season.

* Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise stated.