Monday 24 October 2016 08:20, UK
From Jurgen Klopp's anniversary to Sadio Mane's impact, here we round up the talking points from Liverpool's win over West Brom.
The Reds were two up within 35 minutes and - after being held to a 0-0 draw on Monday by Manchester United - produced some thrilling attacking football.
The visitors grabbed a consolation through Gareth McAuley from an 81st-minute corner but Liverpool saw out the remainder of the game to move into second spot in the Premier League on Saturday night.
Here we look at the key talking points from the game...
Klopp's happy anniversary
Liverpool would have gone top of the Premier League on Saturday night if it wasn't for McAuley's late strike. That would have been a fitting moment for Jurgen Klopp, who was celebrating one year since his first Anfield match in charge of Liverpool, but his side will have plenty of other chances to hit the summit if they can maintain these performance levels.
The Reds have now gone 12 home games unbeaten in the Premier League - their best run since their title-challenging days under Brendan Rodgers in 2014 - and their attacking play proved too much for West Brom's backline.
Since Klopp's first game in charge, Liverpool games have seen more Premier League goals scored than any others and there could have been more on Saturday. After the Red Monday stalemate with Manchester United, Liverpool returned to winning ways, their free-flowing best and, after Arsenal and Tottenham were held earlier in the day, secured three valuable points in the title race.
Klopp's men are running further and harder than any other team in the division, he says the atmosphere against West Brom exceeded any he'd known for a 'normal' league game and there's a feeling of momentum around the club right now.
Mane making an impact
Sadio Mane's £36m price tag this summer raised eyebrows but the Senegal international has made an instant impact at Liverpool. He opened the campaign in style with the decisive strike in the Reds' 4-3 win at Arsenal and on Saturday scored his third goal in four Premier League appearances at Anfield.
But, beyond his goals, the tempo set by Mane's play fits perfectly with Klopp's 'heavy metal' football philosophy. Once again the forward was all-action on Saturday. Only Roberto Firmino recorded more sprints and only Jordan Henderson hit a higher top speed.
His volleyed finish from Firmino's chipped cross for Liverpool's opener was superbly taken, while he coolly played Coutinho in for the second. Mane was also responsible for instigating a number of counter-attacks from the hosts. Phil Thompson last month explained how the 24-year-old gave Liverpool a new dimension, running in behind defences. It's an approach opponents are struggling to cope with.
Firmino shines as Sturridge looks on
Klopp shuffled his line-up slightly, following Monday's 0-0 draw with Manchester United. Daniel Sturridge, who had been an isolated figure against Jose Mourinho's men, was dropped to the bench for the fit-again Adam Lallana. In his absence, Firmino stepped into the central striking role and linked Liverpool's play together.
The Brazilian weighed in with more key passes (four) than any other player - including a fine cross for Mane's opener. Firmino has now had a hand in 17 goals (12 goals, five assists) for Liverpool in the Premier League in 2016, more than any other player. He could have scored himself, too, but for a superb save from Ben Foster late on.
It's that all-round contribution which sets Firmino apart right now. He may have brought out the tricks, flicks and back-heels at times against West Brom but he also put in the hard yards, too, sprinting 86 times - more than any other player on the pitch.
Firmino facilitates Liverpool's inter-changing attack, which has caused so many problems for opponents this season. Sturridge, meanwhile, was left looking dejected and frustrated on the bench.
Coutinho stars again
Completing Liverpool's talented frontline trio on Saturday was Coutinho, scorer of the Reds' second goal. It was another standout display from the Brazilian, who, just nine games into the season, has already scored half (four) the number of Premier League goals he managed in the entirety of 2015/16.
Coutinho was a constant threat, firing off six shots - more than any other player - and no one completed more passes in the opposition half.
However, as is true of any player to earn a place in Klopp's XI, Coutinho also worked hard when Liverpool didn't have the ball, regaining possession six times. No Liverpool player won back the ball more.
Familiar set-piece problems
For all of Liverpool's excellent attacking play, there was a familiar failing at the back, with West Brom scoring from a set-piece in the second half. Dead-ball situations have been a particular problem for the Reds and the Baggies are specialists in those moments. Seven out of their 10 goals have come from set-pieces this term.
Gareth McAuley was latest benefactor, latching onto a loose ball to fire in West Brom's fifth goal from a corner situation this season - a league high.
Klopp said it would have been a "joke" if Liverpool had drawn with West Brom, such was their dominance of the game. But defensive vulnerabilities from set-pieces leaves them open to such outcomes. The manager needs to find a solution.
