Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich: Mohamed Salah reaches century of Premier League goals at Anfield – as leaders cruise to victory over Tractor Boys
What separates Liverpool from their title rivals is the range of firepower available to Arne Slot.
With last week’s two-goal hero Darwin Nunez restricted to the bench, this was Cody Gakpo’s time to weigh in with a brace, quite besides the Premier League’s top scorer Mo Salah taking his season’s tally to 23 in all competitions.
It’s the main reason that Liverpool are spending the first anniversary of Jurgen Klopp’s bombshell departure announcement six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Whereas Manchester City have over-relied on Erling Haaland this season and Arsenal are desperate to have one regular marksman, Slot has at least five at his disposal plus the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai and Trent Alexander-Arnold capable of chipping in.
Yesterday’s routine win stretched Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 18 and was never in doubt once Szoboszlai had opened the scoring after 11 minutes.
Slot regarded the first goal as critical. ‘I’m pleased for Dom to score,’ he said.
Mohamed Salah was among the scorers as Liverpool eased to a 4-0 victory over Ipswich
Dominik Szoboszlai scored Liverpool’s opener with a well placed finish after 11 minutes
Cody Gakpo scored in the second half as Arne Slot’s side maintained the lead at the top
‘I sometimes feel he is underestimated, but not by me. His work rate is unbelievable. It is so important for a team that wants to challenge for trophies.
‘It was a more comfortable game because we scored early. There have been a few times at home we have conceded first.
‘This was the way you want to start the game. We were aggressive and dominant. They were hardly in our half for 85 minutes.’
Ipswich, shellshocked by shipping six to City a week ago, might even have been relieved by the final scoreline having trailed 3-0 at half-time, with Liverpool frustrated by letting a clean sheet slip in the final minute.
The good news for the Suffolk club is that following a tough fixture list, they face Southampton next though they will have to do so without Wes Burns who was carried off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly challenging Gakpo.
At an expectant Anfield, the Liverpool juggernaut didn’t take long to roll into gear.
Gakpo had his side’s first shot after 45 seconds and Ipswich’s plan to stay compact was undone soon afterwards.
Defender Ibrahima Konate was the unlikely creator with a pass to Szoboszlai and the Hungarian drilled a low finish into the bottom right-hand corner for his fourth goal of the season – but surprisingly his first at Anfield since March.
Salah added Liverpool second from close range, his 100th Premier League goal at Anfield
Gakpo bundled the ball over line from close range as Liverpool led 3-0 at half-time at Anfield
The Dutch forward headed in Liverpool’s fourth in the second half to seal a comfortable win
With Virgil van Dijk, on his 300th Reds appearance, locking up Ipswich goal threat Liam Delap, the visitors suffered a further blow when they lost Burns who was in clear distress after his attempted tackle.
‘Wes is not good,’ confirmed Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna afterwards. ‘His knee is very swollen and he is on crutches. He’ll have a scan.’
Gakpo set up Liverpool’s second after half-an-hour with a cross to the far post that Salah took a touch to control before thrashing his finish into the roof of the net.
It was Salah’s 19th league goal and provided him even more ammunition in protracted contract negotiations.
The contest was over before half-time. Ryan Gravenberch’s inswinger was volleyed goalwards by Szoboszlai. Goalkeeper Christian Walton parried but only into the path of Gakpo who prodded the rebound from a few yards.
Leif Davis, who had been ill during the week, was spared another 45 minutes of chasing Salah about when he was replaced at half-time.
Without him, Ipswich showed spirit but that didn’t stop them conceding a fourth
Midway through the second half, Trent Alexander-Arnold produced a trademark cross from the right and Gakpo timed his run to perfection to head in whilst just staying onside.
Ipswich suffered the blow of losing Wes Burns who went off on a stretcher with a knee injury
Ipswich substitute Julio Enciso avoided a red card moments after coming on for his debut
Jacob Greaves scored a consolation in the closing minutes for relegation battling Ipswich
Slot immediately withdrew Gakpo, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch for future battles and it was also a dramatic entrance for Ipswich substitute Julio Enciso, making his debut on loan from Brighton.
Within seconds, he steamed into Wataru Endo, kicking the Japanese player in the chest, and was relieved to get only a yellow card.
‘When the foul was made it didn’t look good,’ winced Slot, who was glad to see Endo able to continue after treatment.
Ironically, Enciso went on to set up Ipswich’s consolation, his corner headed in by Jacob Greaves – the first corner Liverpool have conceded this season.
It was particularly frustrating for Alexander-Arnold who had hit the crossbar to make it 5-0 but the big picture is that Liverpool remain clear at the top and a goal threat everywhere you look.
