Liverpool produced a blistering second-half performance to beat Watford 3-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday and keep pace with leaders Manchester City.

Mohamed Salah broke the deadlock in the 67th minute with his ninth goal of the season before Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning set-piece.

Jordan Henderson was sent off for the visitors late on, but Roberto Firmino secured the crucial three points with his goal in the last minute.

Positives

Watford are no pushovers. This was an impressive result for Liverpool against the team that started the day seventh in the Premier League. Salah keeps on scoring and Xherdan Shaqiri's performances are making him become virtually un-droppable. Liverpool appear to have secured an elite starting forward for just £13 million.

Negatives

The Premier League is settled by the finest of margins and this result could have been a different story had any of Liverpool's individual errors been punished before their flurry of goals. Henderson will miss the Merseyside derby after he picked up his second yellow card eight minutes from time.

Manager rating out of 10

8 -- Jurgen Klopp made the brave call to use his 4-2-3-1 system for the first time away from Anfield this season. There was some very good intricate play between the four attackers. Despite having so much firepower on the pitch, Liverpool looked more balanced and controlled midfield -- a sharp contrast to the matches prior to the international break.

Player ratings: (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Alisson, 6 -- One lax pass to Firmino early in the first half allowed Watford in and should have ultimately cost Liverpool. However, he made up for that with a number of decent enough saves and good alertness off his goalline.

DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 7 -- An absolutely stunning free-kick. Defensively, the 20-year-old didn't have much protect on the right flank from Shaqiri, but did well.

DF Dejan Lovren, 6 -- Not easy to come in and replace the incredibly popular Joe Gomez and then have to deal with the nagging threat that is Troy Deeney. Lovren did OK, though.

DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 -- He made the excellent recovery challenge that bailed out Alisson and was his dominant self all throughout.

DF Andrew Robertson, 7 -- Vicarage Road was screaming for a penalty when the home fans felt Robertson had brought down Will Hughes. Regardless, the Scot was adventurous and effective down the left flank.

MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 6 -- A tidy performance, but one that didn't pull up any trees.

MF Jordan Henderson, 5 -- His first start Liverpool since October and there were obvious signs of rust from the captain. His two bookings -- both for cynical fouls -- could have cost Liverpool.

FW Xherdan Shaqiri, 9 -- The best performer on the pitch. In what was very much a dire game for large parts, Shaqiri was the one shining light. His creativity caught the eye here.

FW Mohamed Salah, 7 -- When Liverpool needed a goal, their main man stepped up. His pace was a constant threat and he ran Watford's defenders ragged.

FW Roberto Firmino, 7 -- Much improved in the second half and deserved his goal right at the death. Firmino continues to get used to the No. 10 role behind Salah. He also started the move for Salah's opener.

FW Sadio Mane, 6 -- The new contract didn't necessarily lead to a vintage Mane performance, but he does claim the assist for Salah's goal.

Substitutes

MF James Milner, N/R -- Came on to protect Alexander-Arnold on the right-hand side.

MF Fabinho, N/R -- He was getting readied to come on before Henderson's sending off.

DF Joel Matip, N/R -- A time-wasting sub from Klopp.