Watford 0-5 Liverpool: 5 talking points as Roberto Firmino hat-trick condemns Hornets to heavy defeat | Premier League 2021-22

#3 Firmino rolls back the years for Liverpool

Firmino scored a hat-trick in the league for Liverpool after almost three years.

When he first arrived at Liverpool, Roberto Firmino's job was that of a natural striker - to score goals - which he did, abundantly. But following Salah's arrival, Firmino's role evolved into that of a false nine as the African duo (Salah and Sadio Mane) on either side shouldered the goalscoring burden.

However, on Saturday, the Brazilian rolled back the years with a vintage performance. He scored three goals in a match after a long time, two of which were pure poacher's finishes.

The first and the third were simple tap-ins, but credit to him for reading the match brilliantly and showing excellent awareness. Like a penalty-box striker, as he used to be back in the day, Firmino took his chances nonchalantly. In the process, Firmino became the first Brazilian to net multiple Premier League hat-tricks.

Entering the match, he only has one goal to his name in the Premier League, and following this hat-trick, the former Hoffenheim marksman has thurst his name among the Golden Boot contenders.

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#2 Watford still adjusting to life under new manager

Watford's defence was awful, but improved in the second half.

Claudio Ranieri patrolled the Watford dugout for the first time since being announced as their new manager. But he ended up suffering his worst ever Premier League defeat.

Is that a coincidence? It could be, but considering how all over the place Watford were at the back, it shouldn't be surprising.

The Hornets showed promising signs in the first half after falling behind, fighting hard for the ball and making dangerous forays forward. But it wasn't until the final quarter that the side put sustained pressure on Liverpool.

Cucho Hernandez and Tom Cleverly, looking to exploit the space down their left, managed to get forward and lay a few good crosses. Although none of them came to fruition, the attacking intent must have made Ranieri happy.

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#1 Liverpool look like title contenders again

The Liverpool juggernaut will take some stopping.

Liverpool's performance on the night was truly worthy of a side contending for the Premier League title. The Reds were absolutely rampant from start to finish, tearing Watford apart with ruthless attacking quality that we've come to see from them under Jurgen Klopp.

Last season was an anomaly, as the side witnessed a decline in form after two consecutive years at their best. But the Reds are now fit and firing again this season, functioning like a cohesive unit and in a rich vein of form.

Could they go all the way in the league this season? There's a good chance they could.