Liverpool 6 Watford 1: Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino star to send Jurgen Klopp's reds top after Arsenal draw with Tottenham

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Standard Sport6 November 2016

Liverpool capitalised on Arsenal's failure to beat Tottenham as Philippe Coutinho inspired Jurgen Klopp's side to the top of the Premier League table with a 6-1 win over Watford.

Arsenal's earlier 1-1 north London derby draw with Spurs left Liverpool with the chance to go top, and Klopp's men duly delivered as Sadio Mane, Coutinho and Emre Can put the hosts 3-0 by half-time at Anfield.

Mane got the ball rolling with a fine glancing header from a Coutinho delivery as Watford failed to clear their lines from a corner 27 minutes in, and Liverpool were soon two goals in front as Coutinho ruthlessly dispatched a low 25-yard effort.

Heurelho Gomes was unsighted for the effort and hurt his knee trying to get down to the low effort, with the goalkeeper in some pain and immediately replaced by Walter Mazzarri to spark fears of a long-term injury layoff for the Brazilian.

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Costel Pantilimon was sent into the firing line, but could do nothing about Liverpool's third as Adam Lallana's cross from the right flank was deftly headed back across the keeper by Emre Can as the midfielder made it two goals in a week.

There was no respite for Mazzarri's men after the break as Firmino scored his second from close range following another Lallana cross 12 minutes after the break, while the Brazilian then turned provider for Mane three minutes later.

Watford improved as Loris Karius made two fine saves, but could do nothing about a fine consolation goal from Daryl Janmaat - a strike which annoyed Klopp as his side lost their clean sheet.

Daniel Sturridge hit the wodwork twice late on, and his injury-time effort forced a save from Pantilimon which Georginio Wijnaldum converted on the rebound for Liverpool's sixth and final goal.

More to follow.

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