The Mo Salah show

- Early strike -

Liverpool got on the scoresheet early, as Mo Salah scored his first in the fourth minute.The Egyptian scored a lovely individual goal, picking the ball up down the right wing, and leaving Miguel Britos on the floor with a chop into the box. He slid the ball past Orestis Karnezis to open the scoring.

- Wary Watford -

Watford started the half on the back-foot. They were clearly wary of Liverpool finding too much space in the final third, and sat back in defensive formation. They grew into the game, but didn’t have more than one or two clear cut chances.

- Back post brilliance-

Salah made it two the 43rd minute, after a lovely cross from left-back Andy Robertson. Salah was too quick for Watford at the back post, and tapped in for his 34th goal of the season in all competitions.This goal beat Fernando Torres’ record for the highest debut season tally for Liverpool, with over a month of football left to play.

- Salah turns provider -

The home side started the second half strong, with Salah turning provider for Liverpool's third. He beat his man for pace for the umpteenth time in the game, and had plenty of time to pick out Roberto Firmino in the box. The Brazilian completed the move with a lovely flick to beat Karnezis.

- Mo's first Liverpool hat-trick -

The game settled down for a spell in the middle of the half, as Liverpool appeared to lose intensity. It didn't last long, though, and the game kicked back into gear in the 77th minute as Salah bagged his hat-trick. The goal was made by a lovely run from Sadio Mane down the right, who laid off to Salah. The forward twisted back and forth in the box, surrounded by yellow shirts, before somehow digging out a finish into the bottom corner. 

- Final nail in the coffin -

Despite their cushion, Liverpool continued to push for more as full-time approached. Salah added to Watford's embarassment with five minutes to go, bringing up his fourth of the game after a James Milner-orchestrated counter attack. Milner fed Salah, who fed substitute Danny Ings, and the English forward hit an effort that was blocked by Karnezis. It wasn't parried far though, and the hat-trick hero made it four, topping off a supreme performance. 

- Golden season -

The Egyptian has now scored 36 goals so far this season, and leads the race for the golden boot, with 28 Premier League goals. His closest rival, Harry Kane, sits four goals behind him, and is currently out injured. 

 

17 March 2018