PLAYER RATINGS: Conor Bradley was sublime as it was a nightmare for Thiago Silva

Liverpool maintained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a dominant 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield.

The Reds made light work of their London visitors as Diogo Jota opened the scoring before 20-year-old Conor Bradley fired in his first goal for the club.

Chelsea scored a late consolation through Christopher Nkunku before Luis Diaz added a fourth late on.

However, it was a mixed evening for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez as the Uruguayan failed to score despite hitting the woodwork four times and setting a new Premier League record.

Mail Sport's Liverpool correspondent Lewis Steele gives his player ratings from Anfield.

Liverpool

Alisson Becker - 6

Not a lot to do so hard to give Alisson anything above the par-for-the-course six out of 10. Not at fault for Chelsea’s goal.

Conor Bradley - 9

Simply sublime. If he didn’t share a position with Alexander-Arnold, this lad would be playing every week.

He scored a brilliant goal, put the ball on a plate to assist Szoboszlai, but also put in an imperious defensive shift to keep quiet Sterling and then Mudryk.

Ibrahima Konate - 7

Silky in possession, commanding at the back. Fitness concerns have stalked the Frenchman for the last few seasons but he seems to have put those behind him and is having an accomplished campaign.

Virgil van Dijk - 7

Like Konate, little to do in a defensive sense but bullied Chelsea’s attackers.

Joe Gomez - 7

Was described as a ‘life saver’ last week by the manager and it’s easy to see why. A quieter night here for Gomez but didn’t put a foot wrong.

Alexis Mac Allister - 8

Getting better every week in the No 6 role. Brilliant in possession with his back to goal and growing in a defensive sense, too.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 7

Back in the starting XI after missing most of January with a hamstring injury picked up on New Year’s Day. A few nice touches and also a few loose ones, which is to be expected. Took his goal well.

Curtis Jones - 7

Another pleasing night for the Scouser, who is full of energy and verve. Jones covers a lot of grass and turns up in dangerous positions.

Diogo Jota - 8

Popped up everywhere in the early minutes, on the right, left and through the middle. That caused Chelsea all sorts of problems. Jota is proving himself as Liverpool’s most lethal finisher, taking his goal well here.

Darwin Nunez - 7.5 (BOOKED)

Simultaneously has all the ability in the world to be one of football’s best strikers - but also baffles with missed chances. One never felt confident when he stepped up to the penalty. But an all-round good performance including a fine assist for Diaz.

Luis Diaz - 7

Had lots of the ball in the first half but lacked the end product. Took his finish well in the second half to put Liverpool 4-1 up.

Substitutes

Cody Gakpo (for Jota 69) - 6

Harvey Elliott (for Szoboszlai 69) - 6

Andy Robertson (for Gomez 69) - 6

Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Bradley 69) - 6

Bobby Clark (for Jones 82)

Not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell, Jarell Quansah.

Chelsea

Djordje Petrovic - 6

Kept the score respectful for Chelsea with some good saves to deny Nunez and Jones in the first half, getting down well on both occasions. Could do little about Liverpool’s goals.

Axel Disasi - 6 (BOOKED)

Had a tough night up against the tricky winger Diaz and offered nothing in an attacking sense.

Thiago Silva - 4

A night to forget for all of Chelsea’s defenders. Slow, sloppy and all over the place positionally.

Benoit Badiashile - 4

Lost his man for Szoboszlai’s goal. Not a good night at all for the Chelsea defender.

Ben Chilwell - 3 (BOOKED)

Torn apart by Bradley and Jota in the first half and Pochettino saw enough, hooking him at the break.

Moises Caicedo - 5 (BOOKED)

Booed as he left the pitch after turning down the Reds in the summer. Was given the run around by Liverpool’s midfielders.

Enzo Fernandez - 5 (BOOKED)

Another that looked out of his depth - which is a crazy thing to say about a £106million midfielder.

Noni Madueke - 5

Taken off at the break after barely having a sniff up against Gomez in the first half.

Conor Gallagher - 4

Hooked at half-time after a sub-par performance. Couldn’t get a foot-hold in midfield and struggled with the intensity.

Raheem Sterling - 5

Some nice touches early on as he skipped past a few Liverpool players but another poor return to his former employers.

Cole Palmer - 4.5

Just could not impact the game at all - failed to get on the ball in dangerous areas and when he had possession in deeper positions, Palmer did little with it.

Substitutes

Malo Gusto (for Chilwell 46) - 5

Christopher Nkunku (for Gallagher 46) - 6

Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke 46) - 5

Carney Chukwuemeka (for Caicedo 65) - 5

Cesare Casadei (for Palmer 86) - 5

Not used: Lucas Bergstrom, Armando Broja, Deivid Washington, Alfie Gilchrist.

Paul Tierney - 7

WAVED away some big penalty calls and awarded one spot-kick to Liverpool. Got all the decisions correct and so the referee is due some praise.