LIVERPOOL 4-1 IPSWICH: MOHAMED SALAH REACHES CENTURY OF PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS AT ANFIELD - AS LEADERS CRUISE TO VICTORY OVER TRACTOR BOYS

  • Salah struck again as Liverpool stretched their unbeaten league run to 18 games
  • Szoboszlai scored the opener for the hosts, as Cody Gakpo struck in each half 
  • LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Why the Arsenal players will be laughing at Mikel Arteta behind his back 

Mo Salah was on the mark yet again as the Premier League leaders stretched their unbeaten run to 18 matches – and keep the gap at the top to six points.

Ipswich’s plan to stifle Arne Slot’s men was undone after only 11 minutes when Dominik Szoboszlai scored his first goal at Anfield since March.

And after the visitors had seen Sam Burns carried off on a stretcher with a serious injury, Salah lashed home his 23rd goal of the season before Cody Gakpo killed the game by adding a third before half-time.

The Dutchman then scored his second of the afternoon after the interval to make it 4-0 before a late consolation from Jacob Greaves.

It was another tough afternoon for the Tractor Boys who shipped six to Manchester City a week ago and will be relieved their next fixture is at home to Southampton.

But the Liverpool juggernaut marches on and a year after Jurgen Klopp’s bombshell announcement he’d be leaving, you will get few disputing the Merseysiders are clear favourites to be champions, particularly with a game in hand over second-place Arsenal.

Such is the strength in depth Arne Slot has available, last weekend’s two-goal hero Darwin Nunez was on the bench again despite Diogo Jota being injured.

Cody Gakpo signalled the home side’s intentions by firing the first shot narrowly over after 45 seconds and Ipswich’s wish to stay compact with England international Kalvin Phillips bolstering the midfield always looked fragile.

The first goal arrived after 11 minutes with centre-half Ibrahima Konate the unlikely assist-maker.

He spotted Szoboszlai’s forward run to the edge of the box and the Hungarian drilled a low finish beyond Christian Walton’s despairing dive into the bottom right-hand corner.

It was the attacking midfielder’s fourth goal of the season but surprisingly his first at Anfield since March.

Ipswich struggled to get the ball up to striker Liam Delap who was always fighting a losing battle against Virgil van Dijk.

They also suffered a major blow when Wes Burns injured himself going in for a challenge on Gakpo.

The Town player looked in serious pain as the medical staff came out to inspect his leg before he was carried off on a stretcher.

Ben Johnson was Burns’ replacement but was helpless to stop Liverpool extending their lead.

Gakpo had time on the left to look up and deliver a cross to the far post which went over Szoboszlai’s head to reach Salah.

He took a touch to control and then thrashed home a finish into the roof of the net that Walton couldn’t stop despite being in close proximity.

It was Salah’s 23rd goal of a highly impressive season which will help his contract negotiations as his current deal runs into his final few months.

The third goal also arrived before the interval. Ryan Gravenberch’s low inswinger was volleyed goalwards by Szoboszlai.

Walton parried away but only to Gakpo who had little difficulty prodding the ball home from a few yards.

Leif Davis was spared another 45 minutes of chasing Salah about when he was replaced at half-time by Conor Townsend.

To be fair, Ipswich didn’t roll over at the start of the second half. A neat flick from Jaden Philogene set the tone for an improved showing and there were appeals for a penalty when Ben Johnson’s shot struck Andy Robertson.

MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS 

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Allison 6: Alexander-Arnold 6.5, van Dijk 7, Konate 7, Robertson 7; Gravenberch 6.5 (Endo 68 6), Mac Allister (Danns 80)6; Salah 7, Szoboszlai 8 (Elliott 68 6), Gakpo 8.5 (Nunez 68 6); Diaz 6 (Chiesa 86)

Subs unused: Kelleher (Gk), Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Danns, Quansah, Bradley 

Goals: Szoboszlai 11, Salah 25, Gakpo 44 & 66 

Booked: Mac Allister

Manager: Arne Slot 8

Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Walton 5.5; Tuanzebe 6, O’Shea 6, Greaves 6.5, Davis 5 (Townsend 45 6); Phillips 6, Morsy 6; Burns 5.5 (Johnson 29 6.5), Hutchinson 5.5 (Enciso 79), Philogene 6 (Broadhurst 79); Delap 6 (Hirst 79) 

Subs unused: Muric (Gk), Enciso, Taylor, Townsend, Luongo, Hirst, Broadhead, Godfrey 

Goal: Greaves 90

Booked: Delap, Enciso

Manager: Kieran McKenna 6

Referee: Michael Salisbury 7

With such a comfortable lead, Slot’s side were content to keep control rather than chase a fourth as they might have done under Klopp.

Even so, it arrived on the hour when Gakpo timed his run to perfection to head another wicked delivery from Trent Alexander-Arnold. VAR had a close look to see if the Dutchman was offside but he was given the green light.

That proved the cue for Gakpo, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch to be withdrawn early for future battles ahead. Ipswich later sent on Julio Enciso, on loan from Brighton, for his Town debut.

He was nearly sent off within seconds of his arrival – perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow after kicking Wataru Endo in the chest with the follow-through catching the Liverpool player in the face as he ill-advisedly challenged for a high ball.

This result was never in doubt with Alexander-Arnold denied by the crossbar. But Liverpool will still be fuming at letting the clean sheet go in injury-time when Enciso’s corner was met with a full-blooded header from Jacob Greaves to give the travelling fans something to sing about.

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2025-01-25T17:43:40Z