Cody Jacobo scored twice as Liverpool took another step towards the Premier League title with a 4-1 win over Ipswich at Anfield on Saturday. Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah also scored in a dominant performance from the Reds, who remain six points behind Arsenal after having played a game less. Only a second league title in 35 years and a 20th overall title to equal Manchester United’s English record now looks like just a matter of time in Arne Slott’s first season.
The Dutch coach was able to make five changes for the 2-1 win over Lille on Tuesday which also secured direct passage to the Champions League last 16 in what has been a scintillating season for the six-time European champions.
By contrast, Ipswich find the step up to the Premier League a bridge too far after successive promotions.
Kieran McKenna’s men were beaten 6-0 at home by Manchester City last weekend and could have easily suffered the same margin or more on their first trip to Anfield since 2002.
Slott was keen to add to his scoring contribution from midfield, and the Hungarian stepped up with a superb low shot to score his fourth goal of the season after just 11 minutes.
Salah had waited to snatch Thierry Henry’s title from seventh place as the best scorer in the history of the English Premier League after defeating Nottingham Forest and Brentford.
The Egyptian made sure to resume normal service by firing high from Jacopo’s cross to score his 176th Premier League goal and 19th this season to move two goals clear of Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak in the race for the Golden Boot.
Szoboszlai’s forward movements were a constant threat to the Ipswich defense and the source of the third goal as Jakpo headed the rebound home after the midfielder’s initial effort had been saved by Christian Walton.
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool fell behind in the second half amid a grueling schedule as they continue to search for four contests.
Jackpo headed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross for his 14th goal of the season.
Ipswich at least got a last-minute consolation when Jacob Greaves headed in from Julio Enciso’s corner.
However, the real test of their survival hopes comes next weekend when bottom club Southampton visit Portman Road in a must-win encounter for Tractor Boys.
Ipswich remain in the relegation zone but only on goal difference behind Wolves, who squandered their man advantage for the half-hour of their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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