Liverpool moved to top of the Premier League with an emphatic 6-1 win over Watford.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring with a looped header midway through the first half before Philippe Coutinho doubled the advantage four minutes later.

A headed goal from Emre Can shortly before half time extended the lead before Roberto Firmino, Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum all struck after the interval.

Here were the key talking points as the Reds took top spot…

All a case of history (of sorts) repeating

 

It all feels eerily familar again at Anfield.

Whether your preference is the vintage of 2008/09 or 2013/14, Liverpool’s current ascendancy will have evoked memories of a recent yesteryear.

Usually this narrative culminates in a hard luck story – but there appears to be no danger of that given the strides Jurgen Klopp’s side continue to make.

Putting Watford to the sword might appear to be a mean feat but their previously water-tight defensive record shows just how good Liverpool were.

This season threatens to be different from those previous near-misses. For starters, there is no excessive burden on individuals like Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres faced.

Forget whatever you previously heard about ‘poetry in motion’ – this is the real deal.

Brazilians will make up for Mane miss

 

If this is the best yet of Liverpool’s season, January will potentially be the worst.

Two players will be out of action due to their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations but Sadio Mane, rather than Joel Matip, is likely to be the greater loss.

The continually flourishing relationship between Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, however, should give Klopp a few less evenings of insomnia.

Mane’s energy and ability to unlock spaces in behind opposing defences is undeniable, but how much more do Liverpool owe to Coutinho’s brilliance?

There may actually not be a better player in the Premier League at this moment than the playmaker. His compatriot isn’t too bad either.

With a goal apiece, the boys from Brazil are threatening to make light work of Mane’s absence at the turn of the year.

Europe absence will help Reds reach the top

 

Walter Mazzarri could be forgiven for hating Anfield in early November.

He has endured a combined 10-goal hammering during that time; first in charge of Napoli in the Europa League and now with a whimperous Watford.

But the absence of the former competition is significant for Liverpool.

Continental football may be part of Anfield’s identity but it has done little for the club’s domestic prospects in recent times.

And impressive though last season’s Europa League run was, Klopp would undoubtedly have traded it for more tangible success on the home front.

He could finally get that wish this season as things stand.

Numbers adding up – for better and worse

 

For both better and worse, the numbers are adding up for Liverpool.

Now undefeated on home soil for a 19th successive game in all competitions since January, Anfield has officially retained its fortress qualities.

Georginio Wijnaldum’s 90th-minute strike was also significant as it took the club’s goal scoring record to a 13th different player from 14 games this season.

But the offset lay with Loris Karius’ continued inability to keep a clean sheet.

The German goalkeeper did little wrong but will rue Daryl Janmaat’s 75th-minute consolation which overshadowed an otherwise credible performance.

It will have counted for little in the grander scheme of this game but banishing Liverpool’s defensive frailties remains a work in progress.