The Reds put to bed any notion they were fast asleep in the title race. A one-sided affair saw Liverpool steal the show with five goals and no reply from Watford.
The night was stolen by young Englishman, Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 20-year-old provided three of Liverpool’s goals on Wednesday night. Standout performances were spread out like smooth jam in the Liverpool starting 11.
Even Origi who stepped in for the concerned Firmino was easy on the eye. Normally when the goals are being added on the one end, the other end leaks some in as well. But this is not the same Reds we’ve come so accustomed to seeing over the years.
The attack up front has been equally matched by the men at the back. More millions spent on the players protecting the goalmouth has proven to be the last insert to the Klopp puzzle. Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk have been worth every penny.
Tonight again without being called into action for about 85 minutes of the game (rough estimation of his involved across the 90 minutes) he pulled off two worldly saves to keep Liverpool’s clean sheets the most for the season.
However, besides the cat-like man who is Alisson in between the sticks, let’s talk Virgil van Dijk. The three players to score on the night when they faced Watford was Sadio with a brace, Divock Origi with a welcome back to the starting lineup goal, and Virgil van Dijk with a brace in the embers of the game.
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The big man must fulfil his duty as the club captain
Van Dijk’s presence in this one was thoroughly noticed throughout the game. He led from the back and led from the front to ease Liverpool home for the three points. When Milner’s on the field you can still see the Englishman being the general and bossing the tempo of the game.
When Henderson’s on, he literally looks a smaller figure compared van Dijk. Too many times when the cameras are off the players you get a slight glance of the defender calling the shots. That, and you sometimes catch him giving Hendo a mouthful.
The Dutchman’s persona has leader written all over it. He barely sits out and is the man who can see the whole game from where he plays, while still being able to be wherever the officials are when they handing out colour cards.
Virgil van Dijk stats since joining the club;
- 21 games
- 17 wins 4 draws
- 0 defeats
- Goals 60
- Conceded 10
- Clean sheets: 14
He deserves it over the other two
Since stepping into Anfield, the ground has become a no-win zone. A miserable place to go to if you must go search for points or a victory. One game lost for the season (away from home) and nothing lost at Anfield since 2017!
He took the price tag of his transfer fee and outgrew it. He’s worth a lot more than what he came in for and is still proving to be the most important key to Klopp’s success. At the start of next season, van Dijk must get the armband full time.