Liverpool vs Ipswich Review
Liverpool preserved their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a convincing 4-1 victory over Ipswich at Anfield, marking their 18th consecutive match without a loss in the league. After conceding first in their previous three home league matches, the Reds aimed for a stronger start this time. Just 11 minutes in, their early control paid off when Ibrahima Konaté delivered a line-breaking pass to Dominik Szoboszlai, who was positioned at the edge of the area. Szoboszlai then skillfully found the bottom corner with a superb left-footed shot.
This marked the 10th Premier League goal that Ipswich had allowed since they last scored themselves, and their situation worsened when Wes Burns had to be carried off on a stretcher due to a serious knee injury. Ipswich’s problems worsened just 10 minutes before halftime when Cody Gakpo delivered a perfect cross to Mohamed Salah at the back post. The Egyptian expertly controlled the ball and struck it into the top of the net, increasing the hosts’ lead. Just before halftime, Gakpo scored by converting a rebound from Szoboszlai’s initial shot, making him only the third Dutch player to score in five consecutive Premier League home matches, alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie.
After the break, the Tractor Boys focused on damage control, and their traveling supporters had a moment of excitement when they finally managed a shot on goal, but Alisson easily saved Omari Hutchinson’s attempt. The game continued in the same manner, and Liverpool soon scored a fourth goal when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s signature cross found Gakpo, who headed in his eighth Premier League goal of the season. Alexander-Arnold nearly scored a fifth goal on two occasions, first sending a long-range shot wide and then hitting the post from inside the box.
Ipswich managed to score a consolation goal in the 90th minute, with Jacob Greaves heading in a corner from Julio Enciso at the back post, preventing them from suffering a third straight defeat without scoring. Ipswich sit 18th on the table, only behind Wolves in 17th place due to goal difference.