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Liverpool make title statement with FIVE STAR performance as Van Dijk and Mane shine
LIVERPOOL made a Premier League title statement by battering Watford 5-0 at Anfield to end their recent blip
Liverpool came into the game having drawn four of their last five games and looking a little uncertain despite leading Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
But any fears of another wobble against Watford were extinguished early on when Sadio Mane struck twice in the first half before Jurgen Klopp’s side ran riot in the second.
Goals followed from Divock Origi and a double from Virgil van Dijk - with Trent Alexander Arnold creating three of the five goals from right back.
The result keeps Liverpool one point ahead of City before the Merseyside derby on Sunday afternoon.
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City needed a soft penalty to beat West Ham at the Etihad as their free flowing forwards struggled to unlock Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Elsewhere on a crazy night in the Premier League Arsenal beat Bournemouth 5-1, Manchester United own 3-1 away at Crystal Palace, Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0 and Southampton beat Fulham 2-0.
The results see Arsenal move within four points of Tottenham with Manchester United just a point back in the battle for the top four, and Chelsea another two points back from that.
At the bottom of the table Southampton move out of the drop zone and up to 17th with Cardiff dropping to third bottom.
But at the top Liverpool now lead by a single point going into the final 10 games of the season.
Liverpool face Everton on Sunday but should take some momentum from this victory - their biggest of the season, in the best performance since the 3-0 win against Bournemouth.
And Klopp reckons his players showed they weren’t feeling the pressure and were in fact enjoying the race for the title.
"It was just... the boys showed how much they enjoy the game and the situation,” he said afterwards.
"It was an important sign. You know what was written and said about us. It is of course not right. these boys are outstanding and today they showed so much passion.
"The game from Mo [Salah] was incredible. Sadio [Mane] scored a brilliant goal. All three midfielders were outstanding. Both centre-halves played outstanding.
"We won 5-0 so you don't talk about them but they had their moments. Even Alisson was great. the boys who came on controlled the game. A lot to talk about.”
On their recent run, which has allowed City to pull within touching distance, Klopp said they were doing all right.
"We drew against Manchester United and Bayern Munich,” he added.
“I think most teams would wish they had these problems.
"Tonight we were sensational. It was really good football. I am not aware of the noise from outside. I get it from press conferences. The journalists in Liverpool are very passionate!
"We have 69 points. We could have had 75 that's possible.
“But we are playing a really good season. Let's enjoy the ride and see as far as it takes us.”