Liverpool maintained their six-point lead on the high of the Premier League as Cody Gakpo scored twice in a 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich.
Kieran McKenna’s facet, crushed 6-0 by Manchester Metropolis final weekend, had been subjected to a different bruising afternoon at Anfield, with Dominic Szoboszlai’s Eleventh-minute strike from the sting of the field setting the tone for the rampant hosts.
Mohamed Salah prolonged their lead when he slammed dwelling a medical end from an acute angle following a Gakpo cross for his one centesimal Premier League purpose at Anfield.
Gakpo scored the third himself shortly earlier than the break when he slotted in a rebound after Christian Walton had denied Szoboszlai and the hosts continued to pour ahead.
Gakpo added his second and Liverpool’s fourth within the 66th minute when he headed in a elegant cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who then struck the submit with a curling shot earlier than Jacob Greaves nodded an Ipswich comfort purpose from a nook.
Greaves’ purpose gave the travelling followers one thing to have fun however, by that time, the sport had come to resemble a coaching train for the hosts, with Arne Slot capable of withdraw Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai halfway by means of the second interval.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Wolves ensures the hole between Liverpool and the second-placed Gunners stays at six factors, though the leaders nonetheless have their recreation in hand to return.
Ipswich, in the meantime, stay 18th, having additionally misplaced winger Wes Burns to what seemed like a critical knee harm within the first half.
Evaluation: Gakpo’s Anfield run continues
A player-of-the-match efficiency and a chunk of historical past for Gakpo, who turns into the primary Dutch participant to attain in six successive Premier League dwelling video games, surpassing Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie’s earlier finest of 5.
Cody Gakpo heads Liverpool right into a 4-0 lead towards Ipswich
Amongst many spectacular performances, the 24-year-old was Liverpool’s excellent participant, organising Salah’s purpose with a far-post cross along with scoring twice himself. His double takes him to eight targets within the Premier League this season, equalling his whole for the entire of final time period with 4 months to spare.
He’s clearly relishing the chance to play constantly on the left having largely been used within the central-striker position by Jurgen Klopp. It’s a tactical change which continues to bear fruit for Slot.
Gakpo: I like scoring in entrance of the followers
Gakpo stated of his newest goalscoring efficiency at Anfield: “I really do love it. It’s amazing scoring in front of the fans. But most important was the win. I’m very happy.”
On Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross for his second purpose, he stated: “Everybody knows his quality. He has showed it a lot this season. At Tottenham he also had a great ball for Lucho [Luis Diaz], for a similar goal. It was a great ball, a good finish and a good goal.
“We have grown as a team, We know better how we play together. We have a different manager as well and a slightly different style of play, more possession based.
“I believe everyone seems to be in good kind however we’ve got to maintain going.”
Slot pleased by ‘dominant’ display
Liverpool boss Slot said of his side’s performance: “Respectable, dominant. Scoring 4 targets is at all times good. We hardly gave away any possibilities in any respect. We conceded virtually no counter-attacks which isn’t simple towards a low block.
“Unfortunately, we conceded from a set-piece in the end. If we hadn’t done that it would have been a complete performance. Now we are a bit dissatisfied with the goal we conceded.”
On Szoboszlai, he stated: “Pleasing to see for him because he has been working so, so hard for the team. It’s good that he comes off the pitch with a goal.”
Can Liverpool be caught?
The Soccer Saturday panel had a feisty debate on the title race.
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Paul Merson took on Tim Sherwood and Clinton Morrison in a heated debate on whether or not Arsenal can catch Liverpool within the title race
McKenna fears critical Burns harm
Ipswich boss McKenna stated: “A difficult game. A difficult position to be in at half-time and also a frustrating position.
“We began the sport properly however then from little we discovered ourselves a purpose down after which a couple of targets down.
“We take a lot of positives from the second half. We managed the game pretty well and finished the game strong. We made some mistakes but if we take the lessons in the right way we can be stronger.”
On Burns’ harm, which noticed him stretchered off following a prolonged stoppage, McKenna added: “We have our fingers crossed but the knee looks swollen. We hope it is not as bad but it looks serious.”
Salah surpasses earlier purpose whole
- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scored his one centesimal Premier League dwelling purpose at Anfield together with his nineteenth Premier League purpose of the season total. It’s the most of any participant in 2024/25, and surpasses his whole in the entire of final time period (18 in 32 appearances).
- Liverpool have now picked up extra factors (26) and wins (eight) at dwelling within the Premier League this season than some other facet. This recreation was the primary time they scored 4 or extra targets within the league at Anfield this time period.
- Since he joined the membership initially of final season, Dominik Szoboszlai has scored extra targets from outdoors the field in all competitions (5) than some other participant for Liverpool.
