Liverpool thrashes Ipswich to remain on track
Liverpool stretched its unbeaten home Premier League record to nine games as Arne Slot's side eased to a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town, with in-form Cody Gakpo scoring twice and setting up another.
The Reds' title lead remains at six points, as rival Arsenal sealed a late 1-0 victory away at relegation-battling Wolverhampton Wanderers after being reduced to 10 men.
So while Liverpool could not extend its advantage, it remains six points clear and still holds a game in hand over the second-placed Gunners.
The final result was effectively secured by a dominant first-half showing from the hosts at Anfield as goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and Gakpo wrapped up a one-sided opening 45 minutes with Ipswich's defensive game plan completely dismantled by the home team.
With the contest settled at the start of the second period, the Reds extended their advantage to four when Gakpo glided into the box to nod in Trent Alexander-Arnold's whipped cross, before Jacob Greaves headed home an Ipswich consolation goal in stoppage-time.
Liverpool ends the weekend with its lead at the top of the table intact, but another Premier League loss for Ipswich keeps Kieran McKenna's team inside the relegation zone in 18th place, behind Wolves on goal difference.
Red boss Arne Slot hailed the efficiency of his Liverpool side afte the match.
"Today is the way you want to start a game, we were aggressive and dominant. For 85 minutes, they weren't in our half. We were all disappointed to concede from a corner for the first time this season," Slot said.
"Similarly to the Lille game, we hardly conceded any chances or counterattacks, which is not easy against a team playing in a low block.
"We get goals from all positions, from across the forward line, but it's also pleasing to see Dom [Szoboszlai] scoring, because we need goals from midfield as well. We have to keep providing these chances as these players will score goals for us."
With Liverpool already sealing their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Slot is expected to shuffle his starting line-up again at PSV Eindhoven next week, before a tricky trip to in-form Bournemouth next weekend in league action.
Despite seeing his side slip to a third successive Premier League defeat, Ipswich boss McKenna was pragmatic over both his pre-game expectations and the impact of a loss at Anfield.
"It was another tough game for us, but there was positivity in how we ended it," he said.
"I didn't think in the first half we were under huge pressure, but Liverpool are clinical, and we didn't defend our box well enough. It's come at a tricky stage of the season, but we'll take lessons from it.
"Everyone comes here with a plan, but when they score a first goal like that, it's really difficult. However, I have to give credit to my players for how they stuck at it in the second half.
"We need to do some things better than we did in the first half. I know it's halfway through the season, but that's the first time that back four have been together since game week six."
McKenna's comments indicate he knows Ipswich's drive for survival will not be decided by its ability to gain results at Liverpool and other title challengers, but against sides fighting alongside it in the relegation zone.
Up next for the Tractor Boys is a home clash with rock-bottom Southampton in what could be a decisive showdown at Portman Road, with the Saints only racking up six points so far this season.
