Liverpool waltzed to a 5-0 victory at home to Watford on Wednesday, with both Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold breaking particular records.
The Reds were magnificent all night, responding impressively after a dull showing at Man United at the weekend.
Mane’s brace got Liverpool on their way—his second of the night was a stunning backheeled effort—before Divock Origi made it 3-0 after the break.
Virgil van Dijk‘s late double made Liverpool’s win even more resounding, as they stay one point ahead of Man City at the top of the Premier League.
Here are five of the best statistics from the Reds’ latest triumph.
Mane Breaks Record
Mane hasn’t shone consistently throughout the season by his very high standards, but maybe everyone expects a little too much.
The 26-year-old has reached his record goal tally for a Premier League season, taking his total to 14 on Wednesday night as he thrived in a central role.
It was also the eighth time that a Liverpool player has scored in five consecutive home league games, outlining the form Mane finds himself in.
The No. 10 is often seen as the ‘third man’ in the Reds’ attack, such is the level of focus on Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, but he remains integral.
Trent & Robbo Duel Continues
Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have a bet this season regarding who collects the most assists.
The pair were in relentless form against a beleaguered Watford, registering all five assists between them at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold was a man possessed in the first half, creating both of Mane’s goals, before teeing up Van Dijk for his first of the evening.
In the process, the right-back became the youngster-ever player to register three assists in a Premier League game (20 years, 143 days).
Robertson has a 10-6 lead currently, with Alexander-Arnold clearly not helped by a recent injury layoff.
The Brilliance of Alisson
The impact Alisson has made since joining Liverpool cannot be underestimated, even though large chunks of matches can pass by without him being tested.
His aura improves those around him and when he is called upon to make big saves he invariably delivers.
The Brazilian kept yet another clean sheet against the Hornets, with one superb stop to deny Andre Gray a standout moment.
It means he now has a total of 16 shutouts in the league this season, and just 15 goals conceded—an astonishing statistic.
Our goalie’s got more clean sheets than goals conceded. Boss that
— Ste Hoare (@stehoare) February 28, 2019
Pepe Reina (20) holds the record for the most clean sheets for Liverpool in the Premier League era, but Alisson must feel he can usurp the former Reds goalkeeper come May.
Ruthless Van Dijk
Van Dijk was his usual immovable self at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, but his impact at the other end of the pitch caught many by surprise.
The Dutchman scored his first brace for the Reds since joining from Southampton, with two towering headers leaving Ben Foster with no chance.
Having scored just twice for Liverpool in his previous 55 appearances, Van Dijk netted the same amount in the space of just three minutes.
If there is one criticism of the 27-year-old it’s that he doesn’t get enough goals, but on Wednesday’s evidence, he can be a key contributor in the title run-in.
Origi’s Surprise Influence
Having looked surplus to requirements under Jurgen Klopp last summer, Origi has stormed back into contention.
The Belgian was handed a rare start on Wednesday but he impressed out on the left, bagging a well-taken goal in the second half.
It was the 11th time Origi has had a hand in a Liverpool goal in his last 18 league appearances (seven goals, four assists), which will surprise many.
Incredibly, he is also averaging a goal or an assist every 76.5 minutes this season.
There is every chance that the striker’s future lies away from Anfield, but he can be remembered for many years if he continues to produce key cameos in the coming months.
And One More Looking Ahead…
Liverpool find themselves top of the table with 10 matches remaining.
There are 30 points to play for, and judging by how the Reds and City fared in the corresponding fixtures this season, it makes for positive reading.
Should the results mirror themselves from earlier in the campaign, Klopp’s men would pick up 28 points, with City getting just 24.
That would be nice comfortable five-point gap and a first title since 1990 come May 12—sound good?
