Liverpool gatecrashed Claudio Ranieri’s first outing as Watford manager.

Sadio Mane racked up his 100th Premier League goal to break the deadlock inside 10 minutes by meeting Mohamed Salah’s tee-up with a first-time shot.

Shortly before half time, Roberto Firmino extended the Reds’ lead with a close-range finish to convert a ball across the face of goal from James Milner.

Firmino doubled his tally after the interval as the hosts’ defence struggled to deal with an Andy Robertson delivery, allowing the Brazilian to tap home.

Jurgen Klopp’s side saved their best for last with Salah producing a wonderful individual goal that left several Watford defenders trailing in his wake.

With the very last kick of the game, Firmino claimed the match ball by meeting Neco Williams’ cross to the far post to nudge into an empty net.

Here were the key talking points from Vicarage Road:

Salah throws down FSG gauntlet

Mohamed Salah seems to be running his own Goal of the Month contest.

His slaloming effort against Manchester City just before the international break appeared as though it could not possibly be beaten, this month at least.

But anything Liverpool’s no.11 can do on home soil, he can do better away from it as Saturday’s equally masterful strike at Vicarage Road fully attests.

This was more than just Salah setting down a marker for the rest of the Premier League; he was sounding a warning to the Anfield hierarchy.

Seeing really is believing with that Salah goal! pic.twitter.com/NakcGul6AL #LFC #WATLIV

— Liverpool FC news (@ClickLFC) October 16, 2021

Each goal that the 29-year-old scores amplifies the question facing owners Fenway Sports Group as to why they are yet to extend his long-term contract.

Salah’s industry has also made a compelling case, with a remarkable seven goals and four assists in the Reds’ opening eight top-flight games this season.

Can FSG really afford not to give the Egyptian what he wants or deserves?

Firmino more than a hat-trick hero

Taking home the match ball may have felt like a small consolation for Roberto Firmino after Salah’s remarkable strike overshadowed his hat-trick heroics.

The Brazil international, however, still managed to etch his name into the Anfield record books by providing an assist for his teammate in the build-up.

It was the 20th occasion that Firmino had successfully teed up Salah in all competitions while his attacking cohort has returned the favour 10 times.

With it, they surpassed Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman’s long-standing record as Liverpool’s most prolific partnership in the Premier League era.

Only Salah’s alliance with Sadio Mane, which has produced a combined 25 goals to date, comes remotely close to matching that impressive feat.

Firmino often does not receive the acclaim his output merits, something typified by a lack of outcry during last season’s brief spell out of favour.

Make no mistake, though, the forward has more than just goals in his locker.

Reds’ heavy metal gets a tune up

One of the strongest criticisms of Liverpool’s failed Premier League title defence last term focused on the supposed death of ‘heavy metal football’.

Amid an unprecedented injury crisis and lacklustre displays against often inferior opposition, Jurgen Klopp’s trademark style became somewhat lost.

Yet a cursory glance at the statistics against Watford suggests the German has given his charges a much-needed tune up to restore their familiar sound.

In the first 20 minutes alone, Liverpool had already managed to produce 206 passes compared to their hosts’ paltry return of 19 during that same period.

By the end of that first half, Klopp’s side were up to 442 passes while Watford had slowly improved to 91 while also finding themselves two goals behind.

A Firmino hat-trick later and the final tally stood at 690-152 while the Premier League leaders also saw out the game with a comfortable 76% of possession.

Passing is often an underappreciated aspect in Klopp’s heavy metal ensemble, with the relentless pressing considered a more notable hallmark of the style.

But Liverpool’s revival owes as much to moving the ball as chasing it down.