Liverpool remain the measure of all things in England. The Reds lived up to their role as favorites in their home game against Ipswich, winning 4-1 with ease.
Arne Slot allowed himself the luxury of giving a few established players a break in the 2-1 defeat to Lille in the Champions League. However, the Dutchman returned to the starting lineup against Ipswich, with Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Robertson, Mac Allister and Gakpo also returning to the starting lineup.
Before the home game against the newly promoted side, which is facing relegation, the smug question of whether it would be all about the margin of victory was entirely justified. The “Tractor Boys” were the rank outsiders – and quickly got a taste of that. After a quiet first ten minutes, it was Szoboszlai who scored with a low shot into the right corner to put Liverpool in the driving seat (11′). Ipswich then retreated deep into their own half, lying in wait for the counter-attack, but it failed to materialize.
Another setback for the visitors was the serious injury to Burns, who twisted his knee and had to be treated on the field for several minutes. However, the long interruption did not harm the Reds’ rhythm of play, on the contrary: after a cross from Gakpo, Salah scored from an acute angle under the crossbar to make it 2-0 (35′).
Ipswich were pinned back further and conceded their third goal before half-time, with Gakpo merely having to clear the debris after a parried shot from Szoboszlai (44′). After the restart, the Reds took it easy, with Ipswich occasionally venturing forward but being far too harmless.
Gakpo with the decision
Meanwhile, Liverpool were still keen to score goals, Gakpo scored a brace after a cross from Alexander-Arnold (66′). By now at the latest, the game was decided, with Slot then giving a few players a bit of game practice. Alexander-Arnold, who provided the assist, was desperate to score a goal in the aftermath, but his shot from ten meters out hit the right post (78′).
On the other side, Ipswich worked hard for an honor hit in the last few minutes. After a strong delivery from Townsend and a header from Hirst, Alisson made a strong save, but a little later the Brazilian was powerless against a header from Greaves (89.).
Liverpool will be back in action in the Champions League on Wednesday (9pm) in Eindhoven and next Saturday the Reds will play in the Premier League (4pm) in Bournemouth. Ipswich host Southampton at the same time in a relegation battle.
