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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Sadio Mane scares Gabriel as Virgil van Dijk sends Thiago strong Liverpool message

Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a trademark demolition of Arsenal.

Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Takumi Minamino all netted as the Reds blew away the Gunners 4-0 on Saturday evening.

The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side remain within four points of leaders Chelsea and have now scored an astonishing 53 goals in 18 games in all competitions this season.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Anfield.

ANALYSIS: Thiago Alcantara truth emerges after Arsenal mistake as Diogo Jota proves Roberto Firmino point

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp makes Takumi Minamino promise after major position admission at Liverpool

Mane has none of it

It's fair to say opposing sides have taken a liking to attempting to wind up Sadio Mane.

Not that the approach has been working, with Mane, as against Atletico Madrid earlier in the month, notching a goal against the Gunners.

And when the Senegalese took things a bit too far in response to the relentlessly targeting with a yellow-card challenge on Ben White, Arsenal defender Gabriel fronted up the Liverpool man not once but twice in the aftermath.

On both occasions, the dismissive demeanour of Mane meant the Brazilian didn't exactly hang around for too long.

Van Dijk shows Thiago

Thiago Alcantara was at his imperious best on Saturday, dictating play and generally passing Arsenal into oblivion.

But there was a moment when he had to be reminded there needed to be a certain tempo to his play.

With the scoreline still goalless, Virgil van Dijk could be spotted whirling his arms towards Thiago, urging him to speed things up.

Given his outstanding display, the Spaniard certainly got the message.

Fimino tribute paid

There was no Roberto Firmino for Liverpool, the Brazilian still on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

However, there were signs of the influence of the absent forward on the pitch.

Not least when Virgil van Dijk, mopping up a rare Arsenal attack in the second half, proceeded to execute a no-look pass from inside his own area as the Reds looked to clear their lines.

Bobby would surely have approved.

Klopp keeps them guessing

Jurgen Klopp had the Kop on tenterhooks after the final whistle.

The Reds boss joined his players as they headed towards the Kop to salute the home fans after a comprehensive win.

And it appeared Klopp wasn't going to treat them to his trademark triple fist pump until, having first headed towards the tunnel, he turned and gave the supporters what they were expecting.

He did exactly the same at Old Trafford last month. Such a tease, Jurgen.

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