Liverpool’s Tactical Precision Too Much For Ipswich at Anfield | OneFootball

Liverpool Stroll to Victory Against Ipswich Town at Anfield

The morning after one of the worst storms in decades, a fallen tree outside my apartment blocked my car, making the journey to Anfield an adventure of its own. A mix of taxis, trains, and buses got me there just in time for kick-off—an effort far greater than Liverpool required to sweep aside Ipswich Town 4-1 in what felt like a glorified training session.

Tactical Superiority on Display

From the first whistle, Liverpool imposed themselves, and the statistics back it up. Ipswich managed only four shots throughout the game, registering an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.61—before their stoppage-time consolation, it stood at a meagre 0.26. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s shot quality stood at 11.35%, comfortably above the league average of 10%, reflecting their efficiency in front of goal.

Liverpool pressed aggressively, allowing Ipswich just 5.84 passes per defensive action (PPDA) before being harried into a mistake. The Reds dominated possession in dangerous areas, completing 76 of their 93 passes into the final third.

Alexander-Arnold’s Role as the Tactical Conductor

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inverting into midfield under Arne Slot is clearly a deliberate tactical shift. His movement followed a predictable rhythm—when Ibrahima Konaté won possession, Alexander-Arnold tucked inside, preparing to dictate play.

He remained central for large spells, ready to distribute, but when Mohamed Salah took a backward touch, Trent instinctively drifted wide again, offering a passing option. Virgil van Dijk’s insistence on using him as a deep link-up player reinforced this positional fluidity.

Robertson, in particular, provided an avenue for Alexander-Arnold to recycle possession, allowing him to switch play or pick out runners like Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Díaz.

Szoboszlai’s Growing Influence

Szoboszlai’s opening goal set the tone, but his intelligent movement was just as noteworthy. Time and again, he found space between Ipswich’s centre-backs, exploiting gaps in their defensive shape. He recorded five touches in the penalty area, one of which came after a stunning Salah pass through a sea of legs.

Earlier in the season, Arne Slot expressed his desire for Szoboszlai to increase his goal contributions. The Hungarian has taken that to heart, making well-timed runs into the box and providing a consistent attacking threat.

Control Across the Pitch

Liverpool’s expected threat (xT) heatmap highlights how they built attacks through multiple zones, rather than relying solely on the flanks. Although the right-hand side—where Salah and Alexander-Arnold combined—was dominant, the Reds’ approach ensured unpredictability.

Defensively, Liverpool pressed Ipswich all over the pitch, leading to 11 ball recoveries in the final third. That level of suffocation ensured the newly promoted side never settled into a rhythm.

What This Means for the Title Race

With three points secured, Liverpool now hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, with a game in hand. Next week presents a pivotal moment in the title race—Liverpool travel to Bournemouth, while Arsenal host Manchester City. The battle for supremacy remains tight, but performances like this suggest the Reds have all the control.