A primary-half aim spree put Liverpool in management on the prime of the desk in a really helpful attacking show beating Ipswich 4-1, with Dominik Szoboszlai‘s position key.
Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich
Premier League (22) | AnfieldJanuary 25, 2025
Targets: Szoboszlai 11′, Salah 35′, Gakpo 44′ 66′; Greaves 90′
1. Taking management within the title race
This most convincing of wins retains Liverpool six factors forward of Arsenal with a sport in hand.
For some time, it seemed like Arsenal may drop factors having gone all the way down to 10 males following a harsh pink card for Miles Lewis-Skelly, however Wolves themselves had a participant despatched off and the north Londoners nicked a 1-0 win.
Emphatic victories reminiscent of this, the place quite a few gamers contribute to targets, can increase morale additional. It was only a disgrace they couldn’t hold a clear sheet to go together with it.
The league will not be gained but. There are nonetheless loads of factors to win and doubtlessly lose, however all of the predictors and outcomes bots will probably be placing a excessive proportion quantity subsequent to Liverpool’s possibilities of lifting the Premier League trophy.
It appears like wins in opposition to a top quality Bournemouth aspect and a tough sport in hand in opposition to a revived Everton within the upcoming video games will probably be essential to creating such predictions play out.
2. Attacking Szoboszlai
With Diogo Jota out injured once more and no recognised striker via the center, Szoboszlai’s position as probably the most attacking midfielder turns into extra essential.
It’s a job that’s nearly as attacking because the centre-forward place and more often than not, particularly in a sport like this the place Liverpool dominate possession, Szoboszlai varieties a two via the center with the striker.
The Hungarian added his third Premier League aim of the season, selecting it up in that superior midfield place and firing an correct left-footed shot into the underside nook.
He was additionally in a striker’s place for the third aim, and customarily seemed just like the workforce’s greatest aim risk within the first half.
The damage to Curtis Jones additionally means this position could also be his alone in the meanwhile, with Harvey Elliott because the instant backup, and he’ll be an essential participant for the upcoming video games.
3. Anfield content material
These are the sort of video games the place the gang and the ambiance isn’t wanted to spur the workforce on to a win. They’ll simply sit again and benefit from the present.
The followers had been absorbed within the sport, appreciating the attacking play and having fun with Liverpool’s dominance of possession.
There have been renditions of participant chants, with Luis Diaz’s particularly widespread, but when something the most important collective singing got here after Ipswich scored.
The Kop additionally sang Arne Slot’s title on the finish of the sport, together with a rendition of You’ll By no means Stroll Alone within the closing minutes.
A traditional 3pm kickoff, routine win for the Reds.
4. Objective distinction
An excellent aim distinction can in some circumstances be like an additional level, and Liverpool added 4 extra targets to their goals-for tally on this comfy win.
The Reds have steadily gathered the very best aim distinction within the league thanks, in an enormous half, to solely having misplaced one sport and by simply the one aim.
There was the occasional large scoreline, reminiscent of 6-3 at Tottenham and 5-0 at West Ham, however most wins have been by the odd aim or two.
After Ipswich misplaced 6-0 to a struggling Man Metropolis aspect final week, this all the time seemed like an opportunity for Liverpool to rack up an enormous, feel-good win, and so they didn’t disappoint.
Three targets within the first half and one within the second took the aim distinction to 54, 10 forward of Arsenal, and with a a lot better attacking report.
5. Waiting for a busy schedule
There’s a break in league play for cup video games within the coming weeks, however there isn’t a relaxation for Liverpool.
The ultimate sport of the Champions League league section is in midweek in opposition to PSV, earlier than Bournemouth within the league, Spurs within the Carabao Cup, Plymouth within the FA Cup after which the sport in opposition to Everton to make up within the league.
The character of those video games in opposition to completely different ranges of opposition in numerous circumstances ought to present loads of choices for rotation, however Slot has not been the heaviest of rotators thus far.
He was capable of relaxation key names in-game on Saturday, although, with Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch all introduced off halfway via the second half after which Alexis Mac Allister and Diaz afterward.
The PSV sport comes with Champions League development already within the bag and certain a spot on the prime of the desk. It may very well be a perfect alternative to relaxation key gamers and even not have them journey.
The Plymouth sport also needs to supply a possibility to subject another, however nonetheless robust lineup, whereas the league matches and semi-final will probably be a precedence.
