Rampant Reds take top spot

AFP, LONDON: Liverpool swept to the top of the Premier League as Sadio Mane’s double inspired a 6-1 rout of Watford, while Tottenham rescued a 1-1 draw at north London rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
While Liverpool dazzled, their old rivals Manchester United ended a four-match winless run in the league as goals from Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured a much-needed 3-1 victory at Swansea.
Liverpool have emerged as genuine title contenders and Jurgen Klopp’s side moved one point clear of second placed Chelsea thanks to a scintillating goal spree at Anfield.
The Reds took the lead in the 27th minute when Senegal winger Mane met Philippe Coutinho’s corner with a header that looped past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Just three minutes later, Roberto Firmino picked out Coutinho on the edge of the penalty area and the Liverpool forward fired home with a fine low strike. Klopp’s team were three up two minutes before half-time as Emre Can arrived unmarked at the far post to head in Adam Lallana’s cross.
The goals kept coming and Firmino added the fourth in the 57th minute, the Brazilian finishing off Lallana’s cross, before Mane got his second in the 60th minute with a clinical close-range effort from Firmino’s pass.
Daryl Janmaat notched his first goal for Watford in the 75th minute, but there was still time for Liverpool to complete the demolition in the 90th minute through Georginio Wijnaldum’s tap-in. Liverpool have won seven of their last eight league games and go into the international break with growing belief they can win the club’s first English league title since 1990.
“It’s better than being 10th, or whatever. It’s very important to collect the points for the final third of the season,” Klopp said of his team’s position.

Rampant Reds take top spot

AFP, LONDON: Liverpool swept to the top of the Premier League as Sadio Manes double inspired a 6-1 rout of Watford, while Tottenham rescued a 1-1 draw at north London rivals Arsenal on Sunday. While Liverpool dazzled, their old rivals Manchester United ended a four-match winless run in the league as goals from Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured a much-needed 3-1 victory at Swansea. Liverpool have emerged as genuine title contenders and Jurgen Klopps side moved one point clear of second placed Chelsea thanks to a scintillating goal spree at Anfield. The Reds took the lead in the 27th minute when Senegal winger Mane met Philippe Coutinhos corner with a header that looped past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. Just three minutes later, Roberto Firmino picked out Coutinho on the edge of the penalty area and the Liverpool forward fired home with a fine low strike. Klopps team were three up two minutes before half-time as Emre Can arrived unmarked at the far post to head in Adam Lallanas cross. The goals kept coming and Firmino added the fourth in the 57th minute, the Brazilian finishing off Lallanas cross, before Mane got his second in the 60th minute with a clinical close-range effort from Firminos pass. Daryl Janmaat notched his first goal for Watford in the 75th minute, but there was still time for Liverpool to complete the demolition in the 90th minute through Georginio Wijnaldums tap-in. Liverpool have won seven of their last eight league games and go into the international break with growing belief they can win the clubs first English league title since 1990. Its better than being 10th, or whatever. Its very important to collect the points for the final third of the season, Klopp said of his teams position.