Sadio Mane became the third African player to score 100 Premier League goals before Roberto Firmino struck either side of the break and Mohamed Salah finished a brilliant individual goal with a smart shot beyond Ben Foster.
Salah’s goal takes him level with former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba as the highest-scoring African player in Premier League history with 104 goals. The home side had no answer to Liverpool’s fluid attacking play.
Firmino completed the scoring in the final minute for his first hat-trick since December 2018.
The result means Liverpool have scored three goals or more in all six away games in all competitions so far this season, something no other English top-flight side has ever managed. It also extended their unbeaten start to the season and keeps them second in the Premier League table.
It could easily have been more but a combination of bad luck and – from Salah – a terrible mis-control cost them further opportunities.
Watford did not manage a corner until the 78th minute. That it was greeted with huge cheers and a standing ovation just about summed up Ranieri’s day.
Ada Peter
