Liverpool Dominate Ipswich as Gakpo Claims Man of the Match | OneFootball

Liverpool 4 – 1 Ipswich Premier League Man of the Match

Cody Gakpo

On a day when Arsenal scraped and scrambled to overcome Wolves 0-1 at Molineux Stadium, Liverpool’s need to overcome Ipswich at Anfield was always going to be a must for Arne Slot and his title-chasing crusaders. Despite being involved in every last competition available to the Merseyside giants, the ability of the former Feyenoord manager to continually pick a strong starting eleven is a lovely sight for the Anfield faithful, as well as a demoralising one for the opposing sides.

With a couple of smart changes from the midweek 2-1 win over Lille in the Champions League group stage, Cody Gakpo was able to start this game in the back of a full rest and though he started slowly, his overall involvement in the end score was a brilliant one.

This season was always going to be a make-or-break endeavour for the former PSV forward as he entered this new manager LW era on the back of a fruitful summer campaign with the Netherlands. Despite a sporadic drift inside to switch roles with the starting centre forward in attendance, the 6ft 4inch attacker has been used almost exclusively as a left-sided weapon that is routinely bullying his way inside to add goal contributions by either how of assist.

Often an offensive weapon who possesses an intimidating frame can be thwarted by his inability to use said frame, something which was at times evident during the previous regime. Under the guidance of his fellow countryman, however, the 25-year-old has become an integral part of all things positive and the fact that he was rested in midweek only points to his standing in the current esteemed crop of goal-scorers at the AXA Training Center.

With Ipswich looking to play a low block full of defensive-minded players, this game was in trouble of descending into one of those encounters where patience turned to frustration. Fortunately and without the need for too much urgency, the men paid to place the ball into the opening net came up trumps against a team that may well drop back into the Championship in their first season back.

Trent Alexander Arnold was at times electric and that woeful display against Manchester United a few weeks ago seems a distant memory. Though the vice captain’s performance was a man of the match-worthy display, that award must go to the asset who most aided an emphatic 4-1 home win.

The Mohamed Salah goal was a brilliant moment of precision and power, one that was expertly facilitated by his forward line allay, Gakpo, who floated over a pinpoint cross to the Egyptian King following a trademark drift inside to deliver from his favoured right foot. The Dutchman quickly turned goalscorer to pounce on a well-saved effort from Dominik Szoboszlai after a cutting low cross into the danger zone by Ryan Gravenberch.

The final nail in the Portman Road coffin came by way of a stellar and powerful header by the player of the match, Cody after the other stand-out performer, Trent Alexander Arnold, had delivered a wonderful cross into the heart of the Tractor Boys penalty area. The result was deserved and saw momentum maintained in this crucial stage of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Next up is a trip to PSV where the chance to finish top of the Champions League group stage awaits.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction

Liverpool 3 – 0 Ipswich