There were so many brilliant individual performances for Liverpool last night. Undoubtedly, Conor Bradley will get most of the plaudits, and rightfully so. He was simply sensational and delivered the kind of performance that can be the catalyst for his young career.

Bradley wasn’t alone though in putting in an outstanding performance. Darwin Nunez looked threatening all night long, and he was really unfortunate not to score. Although, he did at least get an assist at the end. There was also Alexis Mac Allister – who was simply sensational.

Mac Allister controlled the middle of the park and absolutely dominated Chelsea’s mega money midfield. The Argentine won the most tackles on the pitch (7) and the most duels (11).

Moises Caicedo would have been forgiven for wondering just what in the world was going on.

Seemingly every time the Chelsea midfielder gained possession, he was engulfed by a sea of red, Liverpool players snapping at his heels.

Caicedo wasn’t alone in being harassed into submission during a first-half from the home side that threatened to obliterate the Londoners, such was their unrelenting dominance.

But it was the Ecuadorian who, along with the injured Romeo Lavia, chose to decline the invitation of a move to Liverpool last summer and chose Stamford Bridge instead.

While it appeared an obvious subplot to this fixture, it was particularly appropriate given what transpired, Jurgen Klopp’s side wresting the early midfield initiative and maintaining a vice-like grip throughout. At one point in the second half, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez simply threw his arms wide in bewilderment at his team-mates.

By the time referee Paul Tierney put the visitors out of their misery with the final whistle on a 4-1 thumping, Caicedo had long since departed, trotting off disconsolately with the Anfield jeers ringing in his ears.

Liverpool, though, have moved on from that rejection, with their reconfigured engine room a key factor behind a campaign that sees them five points clear at the Premier League summit and still challenging on four fronts.

And here it was the player who resisted Chelsea and plumped instead for Liverpool that outshone his former Brighton team-mate in the midfield scrap.

Debate over Alexis Mac Allister’s suitability as a number six has abated given recent performances, this another to add to his growing collection. With more games his positioning and understanding of the role has improved, while some of his trademark passing left the Anfield crowd purring in appreciation.

In the closing stages of the game, Mac Allister collided with Chelsea substitute Cesare Casadei and was seen in pain on the Anfield turf. Despite the injury, Klopp was unable to substitute Mac Allister as he had already made all five changes. The Argentine midfielder bravely continued playing to help secure the win.

With Wataru Endo’s absence on international duty having been extended earlier in the day, Mac Allister’s form has been crucial in maintaining the momentum brought by the Japanese.

Small wonder, then, that Klopp had his head in his hands when, in the closing stages, Mac Allister hit the turf in agony after a challenge with Chelsea substitute Cesare Casadei.

Liverpool will keep their fingers crossed the Argentine is fine for the trip to Arsenal on Sunday. On this evidence, he will be a key factor in a pivotal juncture in the title race.