‘What an afternoon’: Salah dazzles, as Glenn Murray lauds another ‘outstanding’ Liverpool star

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Roberto Firmino scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool since 2018 as Jurgen Klopp’s men beat Watford 5-0, to leave Glenn Murray waxing lyrical on BBC Radio 5 Live (16/10, 14:20).

The Reds put the Hornets to the sword at Vicarage Road to spoil Claudio Ranieri’s debut in the home dugout. Goals from Sadio Mane, Firmino and another moment of magic from Mohamed Salah pushing Watford closer to the relegation zone.

Klopp had only started Firmino once in the Premier League this season before Liverpool’s visit to Watford on Saturday. The Brazilian instead making four of his five prior outings from the bench, and not scoring since the opening day.

Firmino had a field day at Watford, though, netting three goals to double his 2021/22 haul in all competitions. The 30-year-old had his first after 37-minutes to end a move he started with a tap-in, having kept running after feeding Naby Keita to meet James Milner’s delivery.

The 55-cap Brazil international had his brace shortly into the second-half after firing in Ben Foster’s parry from six-yards out. And in the first-minute of stoppage-time, Firmino had his hat-trick to round of Liverpool’s 5-0 demolition of Watford.

Neco Williams toyed with Danny Rose after replacing Milner in the late stages before fizzing a cross into the box. Firmino met the Liverpool product’s delivery for another tap-in, and his first domestic hat-trick since putting three past Arsenal in December 2018.

Murray full of praise as Firmino stars in Liverpool rout at Watford

Murray was full of praise for Firmino after his starring role in Liverpool’s five-goal rout at Watford on Saturday. The ex-Brighton and Hove Albion striker exclaimed after his third:

“What an afternoon for Firmino. He’s been outstanding in possession and in front of goal.”

Firmino will hope his hat-trick at Watford now helps to kickstart his personal season after an infrequent role at Liverpool. A double from the bench against Porto in the Champions League group stage failed to secure Premier League minutes, however.