Top of the league, top of the qualifying group, another clean sheet, truly tis the season to be jolly!
That was all getting a bit jittery in a frenetic first half, with Salzburg tearing into us and Allison throwing himself around like a mystical bearded frost giant to keep the score at 0-0. But as so often happens, the first goal changed the game, and all the belief and swagger in the Austrian team disappeared and we took full control. It was a great second half display, and we really should have scored five.
So who is on Santa's naughty list and who is getting a big sack full of prezzies?
Allison (8) A new Nintendo Gameboy for you, big lad! And a copy of Tetris (came with it, soz). Made a shedload of decent saves and everything stuck to those big plate hands like glue. Will be happy to get another clean sheet and he fully deserved it.
TAA (7) Bumpy first half, and was having a testing evening dealing with multiple threats. All change after the break, as he showed his quality in attack and started pinging the ball about with his usual class and accuracy.
Virgil (9) Just...immense. It was like watching fucking Zeus in a red shirt, ruthlessly casting mere mortals left and right as he strode around the pitch. A defensive masterclass of poise, power, speed and awareness.
Lovren (7) Had a few problems with the dangerous and unorthodox Haaland, but slowly got the better of him and eventually had him well under control, before going off again. Shame, he's been playing well.
Robertson (7) Busy game, and did plenty of good work defensively and got some juicy tackles in. Had more fun going forward in the first half and was heavily involved in the first goal. Getting back to his best form slowly but surely.
Henderson (8) Second top quality display in a few days, and showed ferocious levels of effort covering the flying Salzburg attacks. Good use of the ball, and a few boss Hollywood passes thrown in. In this form, he's essential.
Wijnaldum (6) Had a bit of an uncomfortable start, with Henderson having to do the work of two at times and struggled to get involved. But he went through the gears and got better as the game progressed, still going strong at the end, although still lacks a bit of confidence as soon as he got anywhere near the box.
Keita (8) Produced another very impressive display, saw plenty of the ball and was always trying to make things happen and create chances with clever passes and movement. Scored the crucial opener and looks to be finally, FINALLY, making his mark in this phenomenal Liverpool side. Yes, there are issues with his physicality, defensive awareness and occasional tendency to cough up possession, but if he works on that stuff, we have a player.
Mane (8) He's unplayable in this kind of form. A coruscating red blur of menace and skill all evening, they couldn't contain him and he knew it. Set up one goal, should have scored at least one. What a footballer this lad is.
Salah (7) Four goals in six games, and this finish was outrageous, curling it in from an almost impossible angle with his wrong foot. I don't know how he did it. I don't know he didn't score about four or five, actually, as he fluffed chance after chance, but if he plays, he scores. That's how it is.
Firmino (4) Another shocker. He looked slow, his touch was AWOL and he didn't look like scoring or doiung anything else of any real use. Lost the ball so many times it was unreal. Weak link.
