Liverpool cut Manchester City’s lead in the Premier League title race to just three points with a six-goal dismantling of Leeds United.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Stuart Dallas had handled an Andy Robertson cross, leaving the Egyptian free to convert.
The Reds doubled their lead on the half-hour mark as Joel Matip played a one-two with Salah before lifting the ball past an advancing Illan Meslier.
Salah increased his personal tally from 12 yards a mere matter of minutes later when Luke Ayling bundled over Sadio Mane in the visitors’ area.
Mane added to the rout during the closing stages with a drilled finish into the roof of The Kop’s net from substitute Jordan Henderson’s cutback.
Another came the Senegal international’s way early in stoppage time as he pounced on a loose ball after Meslier denied Divock Origi from close-range.
In the final moment of the gam, Virgil van Dijk converted Robertson’s corner from the left to complete a perfect send-off for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Are you watching, Manchester?
There have been times, in the not too distant past, when Liverpool were presented golden opportunities to cut Manchester City’s lead down to size.
More often than not, they failed to seize that initiative against opponents who were stubborn enough to stave off any sleepless nights at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola could be forgiven for struggling for shut-eye after seeing his nearest challengers step into gear and start breathing down his neck again.
Events last weekend gave the Reds plenty of motivation to bridge the gap between themselves and City to a paper-thin three points against Leeds.
There was no danger of a repeat in the slip-ups back in the second half of 2018/19, when Leicester City and Everton were able to resist an onslaught.
From the first whistle until the last, Jurgen Klopp’s mentality monsters kept he pressure on their struggling visitors and raced into a commanding lead.
Two penalties admittedly smoothed the course but even without them, Liverpool were resolute in building on their already comfortable advantage.
That alone should have the reigning champions looking over their shoulders even more ahead of a decisive run-in for the final 12 games of this season.
Matip’s aim finally improving
Joel Matip has seldom been known for his goal scoring proficiency.
As a defender, it is somewhat expected but the ex-Cameroon international has never been short of opportunities to find the target in this Liverpool team.
Invariably, his efforts have been a greater threat to those sat in the rows of The Kop and Anfield Road End far more than rippling their respective nets.
Not any more, however, as Matip became the 17th different scorer this season with a strike that would make Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane proud.
Striding purposefully into the Leeds penalty area in the 30th minute, he played a neat one-two with Salah before lifting the ball past Illan Meslier.
Klopp has routinely hailed Matip’s free transfer from Schalke, five-and-a-half years ago, among the best pieces of business he has conducted at Anfield.
Adding only his seventh goal in that time tells its own story but an improving aim is a welcome addition where Kopites, and Road Enders, are concerned.
Reds ramping up for Wembley date
The countdown to Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final outing is now into the hours and Klopp can take huge positives from his players’ final preamble.
Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota notwithstanding, a near full-strength side dispensed of Leeds to the sword before the half-time interval had arrived.
Their disjointed opening against Norwich City just four days prior became a far cry as Klopp restored familiar faces and with it, some potent partnerships.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson produced trademark deliveries while Curtis Jones provided a foil for Salah, Mane and Luis Diaz in attack.
Only time will tell whether this renewed impetus proves enough to ultimately see off Chelsea in this weekend’s showpiece beneath the Wembley arch.
But recording their biggest home league win since September 2007 suggests Liverpool are in the best possible shape for their impending date with destiny.