Liverpool pound Arsenal to widen EPL lead

Liverpool (England), Dec 30 (IANS) Liverpool conceded an early goal to Arsenal before rebounding to dispatch the Gunners 5-1 and go nine points clear at the top of the English Premier League (EPL).Liverpool, who last won the English top-flight in 1990, are unbeaten after 20 matches with 54 points, nine ahead of second placed Tottenham, reports Efe.Roberto Firmino, who had yet to score at Anfield this season, produced a hat trick to power Liverpool to a ninth straight EPL triumph here on Saturday.With 38 points, Arsenal remain secure in fifth place for the moment despite losing their fourth match in a row.The visitors were first to strike, as Alex Iwobi found Ainsley Maitland-Niles open at the far post and the 21-year-old midfielder connected to make it 1-0 for Arsenal in the 11th minute.Liverpool were not slow to respond.Firmino broke his home scoring drought in the 14th minute and added a second goal just two minutes later.The third Liverpool goal came in the 32nd minute courtesy Sadio Mane, with an assist from Mo Salah, who went on to convert a penalty in first-half stoppage time to make it 4-1 for the hosts.Another penalty, in the 65th minute, set the stage for Firmino to complete the triple.
--IANS ajb/sed