Liverpool vs Leeds United player ratings: Salah 9, Matip 8; James 3, Raphina 1

Salah and Mane grab brace while centre-backs Matip and Van Dijk also on the scoresheet

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian nearly had his pocket picked by James early on as he dallied on the ball. It was his only lapse in concentration and he was secure during the rare Leeds attacks. EPA

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7. The 23-year-old probed constantly and passed effectively. He left space behind him but Leeds were not good enough to exploit it. EPA

Joel Matip – 8. The 30-year-old stepped out of defence with the ball and disrupted the opposition’s shape. He took his goal superbly and made sure Alisson’s early error was not punished. AP Photo

Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman was calm, composed and made sure Rodrigo was not a factor. He matched Matip with a goal, scoring a header with the final touch of the game. AP Photo

Andrew Robertson – 7. The Scot forced the first penalty for the opening goal and crossed for Van Dijk’s final strike. In between he ranged up and down the line and was an influence at both ends. EPA

Fabinho – 7. The Brazilian set the tempo in midfield and took any sting out of the opposition. He missed a glorious chance when he seemed set to score. Getty Images

Thiago Alcantara – 8. The 30-year-old pressed hard and passed with aplomb. He was very influential until replaced by Henderson in the 68th minute. AFP

Curtis Jones – 7. The 21-year-old started slowly but grew into the game. His running with the ball worried the defence. He made way for Milner with 13 minutes to go. EPA

Mohamed Salah – 9. The Egyptian scored two penalties, set up Matip’s goal with an excellent ball and hustled around dangerously looking for his hat-trick. Pure class. EPA

Sadio Mane – 7. The Senegalese was brought down for the second penalty and scored the fourth and fifth goals. Not bad for someone whose touch was slightly off. AP Photo

Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian terrified the defence and left Ayling trailing hopelessly. Another fine performance and he deserved his ovation when he came off for Origi with five minutes to go. Getty Images

SUB: Jordan Henderson – 7. The 31-year-old joined the action for Thiago with 22 minutes to go. He added extra energy and fed Mane for the fourth goal. EPA

SUB: James Milner – 6. The 36-year-old came on for Jones with 13 minutes left and put himself about the midfield against one of his former clubs. Getty Images

SUB: Divock Origi – 7. The Belgian replaced Diaz for the last five minutes and his brave challenge with Meslier set up the fifth goal. PA

LEEDS RATINGS: Illan Meslier – 3. It was a chastening night for the Frenchman. Not only did he concede six goals but his distribution was poor and there were moments of confusion with the defenders. PA

Stuart Dallas – 3. The Northern Irishman had a rough time at right-back and failed to get a grip of Diaz and Robertson, whose cross he handled for the first penalty. He was better when moved to midfield after the break. Getty Images

Luke Ayling – 3. The 30-year-old’s frailties were shown up by Liverpool’s pace and movement. He gave away the second penalty and looked like he was running in treacle when passed by Diaz. Getty Images

Pascal Struijk – 4. The 22-year-old battled hard but could not hold back the red tide. He lost Van Dijk before the final goal. EPA

Junior Firpo – 4. The Dominican tried to get physical with Liverpool but all he got out of it was a yellow card. He cleared off the line to deny Salah a hat-trick. AP Photo

Adam Forshaw – 4. The 30-year-old started eagerly but floundered as the team’s system broke down. He found it hard to put a brake on Liverpool attacks. AFP

Raphinha – 1. The Brazilian drew the ire of colleagues for letting Robertson run free before the first penalty. He drifted offside in the most boneheaded manner and had what should have been an equaliser disallowed. EPA

Mateusz Klich – 3. The Pole began well but seemed to lose interest after Liverpool took the lead. After that he was almost a bystander. He was replaced at half time by Shackleton. Reuters

Rodrigo – 2. The Brazilian never got into the match. He hit a few passes but none of them into danger areas. He made way for Roberts at the break. AFP

Jack Harrison – 3. The 25-year-old did not make the most of his possession. His best cross should have delivered a goal but Raphinha blundered offside. EPA

Daniel James – 3. The 24-year-old hustled Alisson into an early mistake but could not profit from it. He got no joy from the defence and made way for Gelhardt in the 61st minute. PA

SUB: Tyler Roberts – 4. The 23-year-old joined the action after half time at Rodrigo’s expense. He improved the team without worrying the defence. EPA

SUB: Jamie Shackleton – 4. The 22-year-old came on after the break for Klich after two months out. Diaz was not as prominent against him but Liverpool eased down in the second half. AP Photo

SUB: Joe Gelhardt – 3. The Liverpool-born 19-year-old replaced James in the 61st minute. He was largely anonymous. AP Photo

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists there is no point in focusing on chasing Manchester City as the Premier League table can change so quickly.

The 6-0 demolition of Leeds United – the club’s biggest home win since September 2007 – lifted the Reds to within three points of the defending champions and current leaders.

It also boosted their goal difference so they are now four ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side having played the same number of games but by the time Liverpool play the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday, City could be six points ahead again.

That is why Klopp is not focusing on the table, merely on squeezing as much out of his players as he can.

“Honestly we don’t chase City, we try to win our football games,” he said after Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both scored twice and centre-backs Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk also registered goals to plunge Leeds further into relegation trouble.

“The thing is now we have the cup final at the weekend, City play [Everton] and they might probably win this game and it’s six points again before we play the next Premier League game.

“We don’t have to count these things. We just have to win the game.”