A slick Liverpool side, led by a brilliant Roberto Firmino, smashed sixpast an outclassed Watford to go top of the Premier League in an entertaining clash at Anfield.
Sadio Mane scored twice alongside strikes from Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can, Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum, while Daryl Janmaat bagged a consolation for the Hornets.
With Dejan Lovren ruled out sick, Lucas filled in at centre-back while James Milner returned in place of Alberto Moreno. Watford defender Sebastian Prodl was ruled out with a thigh muscle injury, so Daryl Janmaat returned at right-back.
Both sides started brightly, with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino firing straight at Heurelho Gomes from Adam Lallana's cross before Loris Karius caught Nordin Amrabat's long range effort.
Lucas had the game's first major chance, latching onto Firmino's flick from acorner before seeing his close range effort well saved by a sprawling Gomes.Philippe Coutinho then went close, cutting inside beautifully from Sadio Mane's pass only to fire wide when he should have done better.
20: Agh, painfully close!
This time Coutinho cuts in and drives into the wrong side of the side-netting.
[0-0] #LIVWAT pic.twitter.com/fMmEB2FJ2E
Liverpool began to dominate as the game grew older, and predictably took the lead in the 27th minute. Following a short corner, Coutinho whipped a cross into Mane, who nipped across Janmaat and glanced a header past Gomes to give the Reds the lead.
While Watford showed glimpses in the attacking third, they couldn't handle Liverpool going forward as Coutinho sent his side 2-0 up, whistling a low right-footed shot from outside the area into the bottom left-hand corner.
Things got even worse for Watford, as Gomes had to be assisted off the pitch after suffering what appeared to be a knee injury in trying to keep out Coutinho's effort.
Costel Pantilimon came on in Gomes' place, but the change of goalie couldn't stop Liverpool pouring forward and scoring goals as Emre Can made it three. Adam Lallana scampered down the right and crossed for Can at the back post, whose arrowed header across Pantilimon effectively sealed the win for Liverpool before half-time.
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 3-0 #watfordfc. Mane, Coutinho & Can with the hosts' goals. Gomes forced off by injury for the Hornets. pic.twitter.com/fJXSbjpNvj
Liverpool started the second period in the same vein they finished the first, with Coutinho curling an effort just wide with his side's first effort after the break. Some nice interplay from Watfordset Janmaat up for an attempt on goal, but the Dutchman could only stroke an effort straight at Karius.
The procession of goals continued in the second half, as Lallana crossed for a totally unmarked Firmino who tapped home with ease. The fifth didn't take too long to arrive, as Firmino latched onto a Jordan Henderson through ball to cross for Mane who fired past Pantilimon.
An observer for most of the match, Karius was forced intomade a smart save to deny Etienne Capoue, punching away a curled effort heading for the bottom corner. The German had to make another stop moments later, reacting quickly to clear Miguel Britos' deft touch.
Watford came ever so close to bagging a consolation but Capoue's attempted finish was well smothered by Karius and then cleared by James Milner.
An improved attacking display in the second half did earn Watford a consolation. Nordir Amrabat, who was arguably the Hornet's most impressive outlet teed up Janmaat, who calmly finished by Karius to ruin a potential clean sheet for Jurgen Klopp's men.
The chances didn't stop coming for Liverpool though, as Daniel Sturridge, brought on for Adam Lallana, smashed the bar before seeing an attempted effort blocked by Younes Kaboul. Coutinho blazed over the bar from the edge of the box, before Sturridge was denied by a brilliant Pantilimon save, with the Romanian tipping the ball onto the bar.
Georginio Wijnaldum bagged his first Premier League goal for Liverpool, slotting in on the rebound as the Reds sealed an impressive victory to go top of the Premier League.
Lineups
Liverpool XI: Karius, Clyne, Matip, Lucas, Milner, Henderson, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Mane
Watford XI: Gomes,Janmaat, Kaboul, Britos, Holebas, Amrabat, Behrami, Capoue, Pereyra, Deeney, Ighalo