Liverpool v Southampton player ratings: Thiago 8, Jota 8; Bednarek 2, Armstrong 4

Klopp's side ease to second 4-0 Premier League victory in a row at Anfield

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  LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7: The Brazilian made two good saves in the first half but was largely a spectator for the rest of the time. He was sharp whenever he was called into action. Getty

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  Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7: The 23-year-old got up and down the line at will and sparked a series of attacks. He was involved in the build-up to two of the goals. AFP

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  Ibrahima Konate - 6: The Frenchman looked nervous in the windy conditions but got better as the game went on. He produced a sliding block to stop an effort from Armstrong. PA

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  Virgil van Dijk - 7: The Dutchman cruised through the match and was never unduly worried. He dispatched his goal with the aplomb of a striker. AFP

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  Andrew Robertson - 9: The Scot was on top form and caused havoc down the left. His excellent cross created the opening goal and that set the tone for his performance. Reuters

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  Fabinho - 7: The Brazilian majors in the less glamorous aspects of the game – breaking up attacks and protecting the defence. He creates the platform that gives the team the freedom to play. Getty

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  Thiago Alcantara - 8: The 30-year-old was guilty of an early lapse when he was caught in possession on the edge of his own box but he recovered, passed beautifully and scored the third goal. EPA

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  Jordan Henderson - 7: The captain was energetic and recycled possession quickly, releasing the forwards and leaving opponents trailing. Getty

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  Mohamed Salah - 7: There was no goal for the Egyptian but he treated the defence with contempt. He curled a shot wide and might have scored when clean through but he radiated class. AFP

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  Liverpool's Diogo Jota, right, attempts a shot at goal during the Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield stadium, in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo / Rui Vieira)

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  Sadio Mane - 7: The Senegalese caused trouble for Southampton right from the start. He played a significant part in creating the opening goal and threatened throughout. PA

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  SUBS: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - (On for Thiago 59') 7: The 28-year-old sent a barrage of crosses into the area. He popped up in scoring positions but his best opportunity went straight at the goalkeeper. AFP

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  James Milner - (On for Henderson 67') 7: The 35-year-old put in his usual solid, somewhat abrasive, performance. AP

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  :Takumi Minamino - (On for Jota 81') N/A. The Japanese went looking for the ball and maintained the intensity in the midfield. AP

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  SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy - 4: It was not a good afternoon for the goalkeeper. The defence left him exposed from the start. He made a fine save from Mane but it was a lone highlight on a bad day. Getty

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  Lyanco - 3: The Brazilian kept getting sucked upfield following Jota. It left acres of room behind for the Liverpool attackers to run into. He was more secure when the team switched to a back four after half-time. EPA

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  Jan Bednarek - 2: The Pole struggled with the pace and movement of the front three. He was given a yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Mane and made way for Redmond at half-time. AFP

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  Mohammed Salisu - 4: The Ghanaian was not strong enough nor quick enough to deal with Salah. He chased the ball before the second goal and left space for Liverpool to exploit. PA

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  Tino Livramento - 2: The 22-year-old was bamboozled by Liverpool’s passing for the opening goal. He never recovered and Robertson and Mane tormented him all afternoon. EPA

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  James Ward-Prowse - 3: The 27-year-old was anonymous. He did little going forward and failed to disrupt Liverpool's forward motion. Getty

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  Oriol Romeu - 3: The Spaniard was always a step or two behind the opposition midfield and offered little creativity. He was careless in possession should have done more to prevent Van Dijk scoring. Reuters

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  Romain Perraud - 3: The Frenchman was swamped by Salah, Henderson and Alexander-Arnold. He was replaced with two minutes left but it was a surprise he lasted that long. PA

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  Armando Broja - 5: The Albanian made a strong run from the halfway line and forced Alisson into a good save after shrugging off Konate. He should have done better with the finish. Getty

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  Adam Armstrong - 4: The striker shot into Konate’s body when it seemed easier to score. He worked hard but barely threatened Alisson’s goal. Getty

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  Che Adams - 4: The 25-year-old showed for the ball and dropped deep in an attempt to help the midfield. It meant he had little impact up front. He was replaced at half time. AP

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  SUBS: Nathan Redmond - (On for Bednarek 46') 3: The 27-year old entered the game after half time but did little of note in his 45 minutes on the pitch. PA

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  Nathan Tella - (On for Adams 46') 6: Provided an injection of energy for the side. He produced a dangerous late cross that none of his team-mates attacked. AFP

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  Kyle Walker-Peters - (On for Perraud 88') N/A. AFP

Liverpool turned up the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea by coasting to a second successive 4-0 victory at Anfield.

Last week, Jurgen Klopp's side had brought Arsenal's fine run to an end with an emphatic win on Merseyside — it was Southampton's turn this time round.

Liverpool have scored 39 times in 13 matches and no player has more Premier League goals individually this season than any of the starting front three — Mohamed Salah (11), Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota (both seven).

Jota added a couple to his tally from a combined distance of seven yards, midfielder Thiago Alcantara made it two in two games shortly before halftime off a deflected strike, and Virgil van Dijk killed off any unlikely hopes of a Southampton comeback just after the break.

It was the perfect preparation heading into a midweek Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, which marks a reunion with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Liverpool are up to second in the table, just one point behind Chelsea who play Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The trend for Southampton, however, remains a downwards one after last week’s loss at Norwich. Only three league wins all season leaves the team five points above the bottom three.