Match Report: Liverpool conserved their energy amid dominant Ipswich Town win

Liverpool dominated Ipswich Town in the Premier League game at Anfield to register a convincing 4-1 victory, securing three points. The Reds are six points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, with a game in hand as in-form Bournemouth awaits them next.

Liverpool will face PSV Eindhoven before their away game against the Cherries with fans anticipating squad rotation to rest players. Nevertheless, apart from the late complacent goal, Arne Slot has plenty of positives from the dominant display of the team.

Liverpool dominated the game from the start and pinned the Tractor Boys deep in their own half throughout the game. Surprisingly, Kieran McKenna used the same five-man defensive strategy against Liverpool that failed against Manchester City in the last game.

Meanwhile, Slot put the team that the Kop Times predicted in the match preview and they delivered an impressive performance. However, Liverpool needs to avoid the complacency that they showed during the late stage which cost them the clean sheet.

First-half

Liverpool started the game on the front foot immediately, showcasing their intent with an early chance for attacker Cody Gakpo. The Reds secured their first goal of the match through Dominik Szoboszlai after an incisive pass from defender Ibrahima Konate.

The Hungarian displayed impressive close control and movement before shooting a 20-yard clinical finish to beat Ipswich’s goalkeeper Christian Walton. Liverpool continued to control the possession in the opposition’s half, pinning Ipswich as they applied a low block.

Nevertheless, the Reds exploited small spaces once again with Cody Gakpo unleashing an impeccable cross for Mohamed Salah. Liverpool added the second goal in the 35^th minute with the Egyptian legend unleashing a powerful hit from a very tight angle.

The goal-scoring dominance continued in the first half as Ryan Gravenberch provided a fantastic ball for Szoboszlai to hit. However, Walton saved the first shot only for Gakpo to tap in and continue his incredible goal-scoring form at Anfield.

During the first half, Liverpool enjoyed 72% of the possession against Ipswich with five out of 10 total shots, hitting the target. The Reds created two big chances with 1.25 Expected goals (xG) while enjoying 197 out of 331 accurate passes (89%) in the opposition’s half. Slot’s men implemented an impeccable web in the first half that allowed them to score three fantastic goals.

Second-half

Liverpool continued their first-half rhythm in the second half as well, toying with the opponents while making them work hard. The Reds maintained most of the possession in the opposition’s half once again but used more caution in their approach.

Nevertheless, Liverpool opened Ipswich up once again when Trent Alexander-Arnold showed why he is one of the best playmakers in the Premier League. The 26-year-old vice-captain’s inch-perfect cross allowed Gakpo to score his second goal of the match, changing the scoreline to 4-0.

Slot immediately made three changes, allowing Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Gakpo a well-deserved rest after their sensational match-sealing performances. Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Darwin Nunez replaced them to gain a healthy game time before the next midweek game.

Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold decided to continue bombarding Ipswich with relentless attacks from the right, exposing their vulnerabilities in waves. The Liverpool vice-captain hit a 25-yard close shot followed by another hit on the woodwork in the 77th minute. Trent displayed incredible technical skills and the ability to hit the ball with deceptive power with the opposition goalkeeper helpless.

Ipswich scored their consolation goal in the 90^th minute from a set-piece delivery when Liverpool complacently left Elliott to mark the opposition’s tallest player, Jacob Greaves. The Reds need to sort out such lapses in concentration before they become costly.

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Liverpool finished the 4-1 Premier League victory over Ipswich with 70% possession, allowing Slot to rotate within the game while the team conserved their energy. With 16 matches remaining in the Premier League, maintaining the fitness level is the priority right after securing three points.