Cody Gakpo scored twice and created another goal as Liverpool cruised to a 4-1 win over lowly Ipswich Town at Anfield on Saturday, maintaining their position at the top of the Premier League.
The win took Liverpool to 53 points, six ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 away.
Ipswich, who remain in the relegation zone in 18th position, have 16 points, level with Wolves on goal difference.
Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock in the 11th minute after Ibrahim Konate picked him out in space just outside the box. Szoboszlai cut back onto his left foot and calmly placed the ball into the bottom-right corner.
Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 35th minute, as Gakpo’s cross found him at the back post and the Egyptian lashed the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Liverpool went into halftime 3-0 up after Szoboszlai’s first-time shot was parried into the path of Gakpo, who fired home from close range in the 44th minute.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo scores their fourth goal. Photo: Reuters
Ipswich striker Liam Delap made a rare attempt early in the second half, going down under a challenge from Konate, but the referee waved away their penalty appeals. Omari Hutchinson’s shot on target was saved by Alisson on the hour mark, and despite Ipswich's resolute defending, they conceded again.
In the 66th minute, Gakpo met a brilliant cross from Alexander-Arnold with a towering header to make it 4-0. Alexander-Arnold later hit the post with a first-time effort as Ipswich defended desperately on the edge of their box.
Ipswich’s late surge was rewarded in the 90th minute when defender Jacob Greaves headed home to deny Liverpool a clean sheet.
Gakpo, reflecting on his performance, said: "I really do love scoring here, but the most important thing was the win today."
He also praised Alexander-Arnold’s assist: "Everyone knows his quality, I was eager to be on time in the box." Gakpo’s second goal prompted a triple substitution from Ipswich manager Arne Slot, who made the changes to preserve his players for future challenges.
Gakpo emphasized the team's focus moving forward: "We stay very focused. We are there every day on the training field to keep improving ourselves. There is a long way to go. Step by step."
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