Liverpool cruised to victory at Anfield versus Southampton on Saturday afternoon, despite barely breaking out of first gear.
Goals from Diogo Jota (2), Thiago Alcantara and Virgil van Dijk secured all three points for Jurgen Klopp's side, who are giving their all to keep pace with league leaders Chelsea.
Former Southampton star Sadio Mane also saw a goal ruled out for the second game running, with the Senegalese winger deemed to be in an offside position after beat goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
Liverpool received high praise for their performance one home soil, highlighted by the reaction of the national media to this triumph.
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'Jurgen Klopp's team took their cue to deliver another procession on home soil'
Andy Hunter of The Guardian wrote:
"The question was not whether Liverpool would score yet again but how long Southampton would make a contest of their latest daunting assignment at Anfield. The answer was two minutes.
"When Diogo Jota scored at the end of Liverpool’s first meaningful attack Jürgen Klopp’s team took their cue to deliver another procession on home soil and expose the vast gulf between the Premier League elite and those in their slipstream. Jota scored twice, Thiago Alcântara and Virgil van Dijk one apiece, as Liverpool made it 10 goals without reply at Anfield inside a week. In doing so they became the first top-flight team to score at least twice in 17 consecutive matches since Sunderland in 1927.
"Liverpool needed 113 seconds to open the scoring to be precise and signal a long old afternoon for Southampton who, had they planned to stay compact and frustrate, did the exact opposite from the outset."
'There was no cracking the conundrum of Liverpool's offensive blurs'
Melissa Reddy of The Independent wrote:
"A gust of glorious off-the-ball movement hurricaned through Southampton as Liverpool once again showcased the art of their firepower in a victory to strengthen their title credentials.
"Storm Arwen had severely disrupted travel systems and power supply, but could not derail Jurgen Klopp’s side from engaging in yet another attacking feast, carving up their opponents with intricate one-touch play and repeated threatening bursts into the final third.
"Saints were not terrible by any stretch and had strong openings of their own, but there was no cracking the conundrum of Liverpool’s offensive blurs. Before the clock struck the hour mark, Southampton were 4-0 down and that was perhaps a fortunate scoreline given the hosts had 12 shots inside the area during the first-half alone."
'Appreciation for Jota's skills is obvious with each intake of breath when he turns a hapless marker'
Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph wrote:
"Diogo Jota is the most understated of Liverpool’s fab four strikers; a player who would shine brighter but for the geniuses either side of him. Call him the George Harrison of Anfield, if you like.
"Even when eclipsing his illustrious partners Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané with a double in the 4-0 win over Southampton, the Portuguese forward does not receive equal acclaim. Roberto Firmino – even when he is still absent with a hamstring injury – is celebrated more than the man excelling in his place, although appreciation for Jota’s skills is obvious with each intake of breath when he turns a hapless marker.
"The standing ovation he received, after the Kop sang his name here for the first time, upon being substituted 10 minutes from time was the most audible commendation, Jota having scored twice in the first 32 minutes."
'Robertson looked back to his best on Saturday afternoon'
Freddie Keighley of The Mirror wrote:
"There has even been clamour for his deputy, Kostas Tsimikas, to be handed more starts in the Premier League on account of his fine performances when called on.
"But Robertson looked back to his best on Saturday afternoon, flying up the left wing to combine with Mane and Jota in advanced areas.
"He contributed the assist for Jota's opener with a precise cross, while Salah and captain Jordan Henderson appeared to make a point of embracing him in the ensuing celebrations."
'The Premier League cliche of any team being able to beat another looked fanciful'
Joe Bernstein of The Daily Mail wrote:
"Liverpool scored when they wanted, Southampton were relieved to avoid another 9-0 hiding. The Premier League cliche of any team being able to beat another looked fanciful given the extreme one-sided nature of events at Anfield.
"Saints resistance was broken by Diogo Jota after just one minute and 51 seconds. By the time he and Thiago Alcantara had added goals before half-time, it was game over.
"Southampton, whose experimental three-man defence was a disaster, must have feared a repeat of drubbings against Leicester and Manchester United when their former player Virgil van Dijk made it 4-0 after 52 minutes."
