Report and highlights as Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah score in win
Monday 31 December 2018 11:16, UK
Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick as Liverpool surged nine points clear at the top of the Premier League with a thumping 5-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield.
With Tottenham having lost to Wolves earlier in the day, it looked like Arsenal might do their north London rivals - and Manchester City - a favour when Ainsley Maitland-Niles put them ahead in the 11th minute.
However, Liverpool responded in devastating fashion with two goals in 90 seconds from Firmino and then a third from Sadio Mane in the 32nd minute.
Mohamed Salah made it 4-1 with a penalty late in the first half and Firmino completed his hat-trick with a 65th-minute spot-kick as Jurgen Klopp's side finished the year in style.
Liverpool now turn their attentions to a showdown with title rivals Manchester City on Thursday, live on Sky Sports. Depending how City fare against Southampton on Sunday, Liverpool could end the week 13 points clear of the champions, or only four.
Having seen Spurs slip up against Wolves, it looked as though Liverpool might be in for a tricky evening as Alex Iwobi crossed for Maitland-Niles to put Arsenal ahead in the 11th minute.
But the lead didn't last long as Liverpool responded with two goals in 90 seconds from Firmino.
The first was fortuitous as Arsenal tried to clear in their own box and the ball rebounded kindly for Firmino, who scored with a no-look finish into an empty net.
Firmino then made it 2-1 in the 16th minute when he shimmied past two tackles and fired a shot into the bottom corner.
Anfield was rocking and Liverpool extended their advantage in the 32nd minute. Arsenal cleared a corner to Andy Robertson on halfway and his long ball forward was passed across the box by Salah for Mane to finish.
Salah made it 4-1 in first-half injury-time when he rifled a penalty past Bernd Leno after being clumsily fouled by Sokratis.
Aaron Ramsey spurned a chance for Arsenal early in the second half when he was unable to finish in the box.
However, Arsenal's defence continued to look creaky and they conceded a fifth when Sead Kolasinac was penalised for a push on Dejan Lovren and Firmino converted the penalty.
Liverpool eased up late in the game but went close to scoring again as Jordan Henderson shot narrowly wide and Leno saved a toe-poked shot from Salah.
The striker scored his first Liverpool hat-trick to put Arsenal to the sword. While there was plenty of fortune in the first goal, Firmino showed excellent skill and control to create the second and then finish past Leno. He then added a third from the penalty spot to complete the rout.
Liverpool can strengthen their title chances when they travel to Manchester City on Thursday, live on Sky Sports. Arsenal host Fulham on New Year's Day.
