Sadio Mane scored a brilliant backheel goal for Liverpool against Watford - watch it here from all angles. Mane, playing through the middle for Jurgen Klopp's side, opened the scoring for the Premier League leaders with just nine minutes on the clock. Mane Wow!!!!!!! — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 27, 2019 But his second of the night - only 11 minutes later - was a stunning piece of skill as he recovered from a poor touch to backheel the ball past Ben Foster from more than 10 yards. Liverpool scored three more times in the second half as they won 5-0 to remain a point clear at the top of the Premier League. Hit the video above to watch Mane's bit of brilliance.<doc-sep>Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Liverpool returned to their winning ways in the Premier League on Wednesday, beating Watford 5-0 at Anfield. Sadio Mane was the star man, scoring two goals in the first half, while Virgil van Dijk added two of his own after the break. Mane twice converted great crosses from Trent Alexander-Arnold, scoring the second with a lovely back-heel. Divock Origi added the third goal before a quick Van Dijk double completed the rout. The Reds had won just one of their last four matches in the competition. Alexander-Arnold is Already League's Best Right-Back Mane's first-half brace came courtesy of two picture-perfect assists from Alexander-Arnold, who returned to the starting XI and reminded everyone just how good he is. The 20-year-old missed out on the match against Manchester United, with manager Jurgen Klopp later explaining he went with James Milner because the youngster only just returned from injury. But while Milner has proven himself a solid option in the position, the difference between him and Alexander-Arnold is huge. The latter was feeling it against Watford: Video Play Button Videos you might like Sportswriter Dominic King thought he was clearly missed against United: Between Kyle Walker of Manchester City, Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur, Cezar Azpilicueta of Chelsea and even Hector Bellerin of Arsenal, there's plenty of competition for the title of the Premier League's best right-back. But at the young age of 20, Alexander-Arnold already possesses a more complete skill set than all of those players. He has tremendous upside still but is already England's best option in the position and the gold standard for the rest of the league. If he stays injury-free for the rest of the campaign, we won't be seeing much of Milner again. Not at right-back anyway. What's Next? The Reds visit Everton for a crucial Merseyside derby on Sunday, March 3. Watford will also be in action on Sunday, as they host Leicester in Brendan Rodgers' first match in charge of the Foxes.<doc-sep>To revive an old and unfulfilled prophecy of Gérard Houllier’s, Liverpool truly are 10 games from greatness. They have faltered recently and lost their attacking verve along the route but, far from feeling the pressure of the title race, they revelled in it against Watford on Wednesday night. The Premier League leaders were insatiable, unstoppable and clinical as they recorded the biggest victory of what Jürgen Klopp hopes will be the breakthrough season for his club. The Liverpool manager gave an Oscar-winner’s speech, eulogising all those who had made the victory possible and acknowledging he may have forgotten somebody. It was a lengthy list. Mohamed Salah was “unplayable” according to Klopp. Trent Alexander‑Arnold “brilliant” as he returned to the side with vengeance plus a hat-trick of inch-perfect assists. Fabinho appeared to run central midfield single-handedly, although that does a disservice to those around him. Sadio Mané scored twice, the second an audacious and glorious finish, as did Virgil van Dijk with two towering late headers. Divock Origi chipped in with a fine goal as he replaced Roberto Firmino. Strength in depth, a clean sheet and a rampant team brushing aside a side in “best of the rest” territory before kick-off. It was a result and performance that blew away creeping suspicions about Liverpool losing their edge and composure just as the season enters its critical phase. It was a result and performance that told Manchester City they will be difficult to dislodge. And it was needed. Three draws in the previous four league games demanded a reaction, despite Klopp’s claim it is growing expectation that afflicts Liverpool, and another heavy defeat of Watford – who have lost here 5-0, 5-0 and 6-1 on their past three visits – was timed as perfectly as it was executed. Klopp sowed doubt in Watford from the start by stationing Origi on the left and handing Mané opportunity to wreak havoc through the centre. It was an invitation he devoured. Other changes from Manchester United on Sunday, James Milner returning to midfield and Alexander-Arnold recalled at right-back, were also key in extending Liverpool’s unbeaten league run here to a commanding 35 games. Quick Guide Premier League title race: the remaining fixtures Show Manchester City (86 points) 24 Apr Man Utd (a) 28 Apr Burnley (a) 4 May Leicester (h) 12 May Brighton (a) Liverpool (85 points) 21 Apr Cardiff (a) 26 Apr Huddersfield (h) 5 May Newcastle (a) 12 May Wolves (h) Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback. Milner signalled the kind of night that lay in store for the visitors when he charged down an early clearance from Ben Foster. The Watford goalkeeper escaped on that occasion, the ball looping into the air and his embrace, but was convincingly beaten when a carefully constructed attack released Mané for the first time. Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his second of the night. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images He was involved at the start of the move with a lay-off to Milner on the edge of the area. By the time the ball arrived in the box via an immaculate first time cross from Alexander-Arnold, the Senegal international had peeled into space between Watford’s central defenders. Foster was left waving at thin air as Mané’s powerful header flew into the top corner. Quality deliveries from Alexander-Arnold were a feature of Liverpool’s first-half dominance as the defender showed his manager what was lacking at Old Trafford. Salah’s tormenting of Adam Masina and Craig Cathcart was another. Both played their part in a second goal of impudent class from Mané. The Fiver: sign up and get our daily football email. A strong run from Salah was halted inside the area but Liverpool remained in possession through Georginio Wijnaldum. He teed up Alexander-Arnold for another precision cross into Mané whose first touch shifted the ball away from goal. No bother. He simply back-heeled his second touch up and over the advancing Foster and into an empty net. The gasp that preceded the roar around the ground said everything about the finish. Fear stalked the Watford defence each time Salah received the ball in space, a lesson they failed to heed from United’s approach at Old Trafford. The paucity of the visitors’ attacking display was summed up by Javi Gracia withdrawing both of his forwards, Troy Deeney and the erratic Gerard Deulofeu, in a double substitution. Inevitably, it was Liverpool who struck again when Origi capped a promising return to the starting line-up with a fine finish. Andy Robertson found the striker lurking unmarked on the left wing with Watford defending deep and in numbers. Undeterred, the Belgium international darted into the area and away from two defenders before cutting a low and emphatic shot back inside Foster’s near post. Van Dijk made it four when he powered home a close range header from Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick. He celebrated his second goal at Anfield with a fist-pumping celebration in front of the Kop and followed that up with a glancing header past Foster from Robertson’s cross three minutes later.<doc-sep>Liverpool rediscovered their goalscoring form and remain top of the Premier League after their big win over Watford at Anfield. (2:14) LIVERPOOL, England -- Liverpool responded to questions about their Premier League title credentials by producing their biggest win of the season in a 5-0 thrashing of Watford on Wednesday evening. Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk both scored braces at Anfield, while Divock Origi also got in on the scoring action. - Ogden: Liverpool got their mojo back with emphatic win Positives There have been legitimate questions asked about what Liverpool would do if they were ever without Roberto Firmino. They had to face that reality here, although Mane ensured there was no reason to panic. Playing the No. 9 role, Mane scored his 13th and 14th goal of the Premier League season. It is now his most prolific league campaign. Meanwhile, after back-to-back goalless draws, Liverpool's mojo returned, breezing past a team that had only lost just one of their last 10 away matches. Negatives Manchester City beat West Ham United 1-0 to ensure Liverpool's lead at the top remains just one point. On the pitch, there were certainly no negatives for Liverpool. Having been accused of cracking up in the title race, this performance was the perfect response. Manager rating out of 10 9 -- The appearance of Origi was not a surprise due to Firmino's injury, but the sight of the Belgian on the left of the front three was unexpected to say the least. That setup, however, allowed for Mane to take up a central role -- to devastating effect. It was outside-the-box thinking from Jurgen Klopp. Player ratings: (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating) GK Alisson, 7 -- Despite being a spectator for most of the night, Alisson was still alert to deny Andre Gray from point-blank range in the 76th minute. DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 8 -- Secured a hat trick of assists with some excellent delivery -- a quality Liverpool could have done with in their 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday. A superb return to the side from the 20-year-old. DF Joel Matip, 7 -- Made an important last-ditch tackle to stop Troy Deeney from pulling one back. DF Virgil van Dijk, 8 -- The centre-half has been accused of not scoring enough goals for a man of his size. He answered those critics emphatically with two towering headers. World class at both ends of the pitch. DF Andrew Robertson, 6 -- Solid defensively while helping out Origi as much he could in an attacking sense. MF Fabinho, 8 -- The Brazilian continues to show his incredible ability to pickpocket opponents and make crucial recovery tackles. MF James Milner, 7 -- Set Liverpool's energetic tone from the first second when he nearly forced Ben Foster into an error. MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 7 -- A tidy performance as always from Wijnaldum as it was noticeable how he looked to get forward a lot more. Sadio Mane banished any fears Liverpool fans had over Roberto Firmino's absence, thriving in his new central role. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images FW Sadio Mane, 9 -- Appeared to thrive with the responsibility of being Liverpool's attacking focal point. One of the smallest players of the pitch scored with a leaping header before grabbing his second with an outrageous back-heel. FW Divock Origi, 8 -- Earned just his second Premier League start of the season because of his attitude in training, according to Klopp. Willing and able on the left-hand side, he fully deserved his goal. FW Mohamed Salah, 8 -- Much improved from his extremely poor performance at Old Trafford. Incredibly unfortunate not to score or have an assist to his name. Watford's Adam Masina will be having nightmares about the Egyptian continually running at him. Substitutes MF Jordan Henderson, 6 -- Helped keep Liverpool on the hunt for more goals. MF Adam Lallana, N/R -- Interesting to see him leading the line in the closing stages. MF Naby Keita, N/R -- Liverpool's competition for places is now beginning to show. Keita is in good form, but has found himself on the bench for the last two games.<doc-sep>
Injured Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino reacted with delight after Sadio Mane scored with a sensational back-heel in the Reds' 5-0 win against Watford on Wednesday night. The Brazilian was forced to sit out as the league leaders maintained their slender lead at the top of the Premier League, after being forced off during Sunday's goalless draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. But he watched with interest from his home as his teammates tore into Watford with a blistering five-star display, and was predictably thrilled at the manner in which the hosts scored their second goal of the night. Mane, who had already opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a cool header, then stunned Anfield with an outrageous back-heeled finish past Hornets goalkeeper Ben Foster, executed with his back to goal and without even a glance over his shoulder. Posting to his Instagram account, Firmino said : "VAMOS REDS. WHAT A GOL [sic]. MANE MANE." The win marked a boisterous return to form for a faltering Liverpool side that had dropped six points in their previous four Premier League outings. But any suggestion that Jurgen Klopp's side were about to concede their slender advantage in the title race to Manchester City was dispelled early and uncompromisingly against Watford, Mane's brace putting the visitors to the sword inside the opening 20 minutes. (Image: PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) Divock Origi made it three in the 66th minute before two late headers in front of the Kop from Virgil van Dijk completed a stellar night in front of goal for the Reds and restored their title-race swagger. And Firmino wasn't done dishing out praise. He responded to van Dijk's unlikely goals saying: "WHAT A PLAYER". Next up for Klopp's side is Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, by which time champions City could have regained top spot in the league if they overcome Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium 24 hours earlier.