Liverpool's dominance in the Premier League continues to strengthen as they secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Ipswich, maintaining their six-point lead at the top of the table. This win extends their remarkable unbeaten streak to 18 games in the Premier League, showcasing their title credentials under new manager Arne Slot.
The pre-match mind games from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, suggesting Liverpool might face a difficult spell, seemed to fall flat as the Reds delivered another masterclass at Anfield. "It's extraordinary what Liverpool are doing," remarked former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 live. "They do make it look easy."
The team's attacking prowess was on full display with in-form Cody Gakpo netting twice, while Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai also contributed to the scoresheet. Salah's goal took his season tally to 19, making him the Premier League's top scorer at this stage. Gakpo's recent form has been particularly impressive, with five goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
Slot's influence on the team's development is becoming increasingly evident. The manager highlighted the team's tactical evolution, noting, "That is the development the team is in. We have our players now in even more promising positions than last season." This was particularly evident in Szoboszlai's performance, with the midfielder recording four shots against Ipswich - more than any other player on the field.
Liverpool's home form has been crucial to their title push, having accumulated more points (26) and wins (eight) at Anfield than any other Premier League side this season. Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha observed, "Credit to Liverpool, they find ways to win games. For them, they just keep winning."
While the six-point advantage at the top is significant, history shows that such leads can be overturned. The 1996 season serves as a reminder, when Manchester United overcame a 12-point deficit after 23 matches to claim the title from Kevin Keegan's Newcastle.
Slot remains focused on maintaining the team's momentum rather than getting caught up in title discussions. "We are mainly focused on ourselves," he stated after the match. "We had to win this game because it's expected from Liverpool that we win this game. It's so pleasing to see that we had a comfortable win."
With a game in hand and the potential to extend their lead to nine points, Liverpool's grip on the Premier League title race appears to be tightening. The question now isn't just about whether they can maintain this form, but whether any team can mount a serious challenge to their increasingly impressive campaign.
