Cody Gakpo netted twice and Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai once each as Premier League leaders Liverpool comfortably beat the Blues 4-1 at Anfield, Jacob Greaves pulling back a late header for Town. The Reds dominated throughout and went ahead through the excellent Szoboszlai on 11, Salah made it two in the 35th minute and Gakpo 3-0 a minute before the break, then added his second and his side’s fourth on 66, with Greaves nodding his first for Town from a Julio Enciso corner in the final minute.

Boss Kieran McKenna handed Jaden Philogene his full Blues debut as he made five changes to the team which lost 6-0 at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

Philogene, who signed from Aston Villa earlier in the month and featured as a sub against City, came in for Jack Clarke, who was left out of the 20-man squad, but was fit, alongside Omari Hutchinson behind central striker Liam Delap.

In central midfield, skipper Sam Morsy was joined by Kalvin Phillips with Jens Cajuste rested and out of the squad due to his recent heavy workload with the club continuing to manage his knee.

Wes Burns replaced Ben Johnson wide on the right with Leif Davis on the left, while Axel Tuanzebe made his first start since suffering a hamstring injury at Nottingham Forest at the end of November on the right of the defence with Ben Godfrey among the subs.

Dara O’Shea continued in the middle with Jacob Greaves coming in for Cameron Burgess, who was left out of the 20.

Christian Walton was on goal with Enciso on the bench having joined on loan from Brighton.

Liverpool also made five changes from the team which beat Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Ibrahima Konate, Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, Gakpo and Trent Alexander-Arnold all returned to the XI with Curtis Jones missing out having picked up a knock.

Two minutes in, with the home side unsurprisingly seeing most of the ball, Gakpo cut in from the left but shot well over. On nine, Robertson’s effort from the edge of the box was blocked.

The Reds, watched by a new Anfield record crowd of 60,420, had dominated without seriously threatening but in the 12th minute they went in front. Konate played a pass through to Szoboszlai, who had got behind Phillips, then cut into a wide gap between O’Shea and Tuanzebe before hitting a low shot from the edge of the box into the left corner of Walton’s net.

Town caused the home defence problems for the first time, Hutchinson’s ball in behind for Burns on the right winning a corner, taken by Davis, which Alisson was forced claw away from under his bar, not entirely comfortably. Referee Michael Salisbury gave a rather generous free-kick.

In the 24th minute, Burns suffered an injury after appearing to catch his studs in the turf and twist his knee as he challenged Gakpo. After treatment on the field, the Wales international eventually left the field on a stretcher to applause from both sets of fans, Johnson replacing him.

Once it had restarted, the game continued in a similar vein, the Reds dominating with the Blues preventing any more serious chances, although Greaves had been force to block Mo Salah’s shot after he had cut in past Davis.

And in the 35th minute, Salah doubled the home side’s lead. Gakpo floated a deep cross to the far post and the Egypt international stepped out away from Davis, who got drawn inside, took a touch before smashing past Walton from a tight angle. The home fans delightedly celebrated Salah’s 100th Premier League goal at Anfield and his 23rd of the season.

Liverpool continued to control the game and look for openings with the Blues occasionally breaking forward, Philogene making a burst forward on the left without finding Delap.

A minute before the scheduled end of the half, the Reds added their third. Szoboszlai’s low shot across Walton from the right of the box was saved by the Town keeper but not held and Gakpo followed up from close range.

In seven minutes of injury time, Trent Alexander-Arnold sent over a very dangerous cross from the left which flew just beyond Luis Diaz at the far post.

Moments before the whistle, Szoboszlai curled an effort from the right of the box across the face and only just beyond the post.

Liverpool had dominated from start to finish, having 72 per cent of possession, and biding their time and creating the opportunities from which they scored.

Town, however, will be disappointed with their defending with the defence and the midfield holding a lengthy discussion after the first.

Going forward, the Blues had failed to cause any concern aside from Davis’s in-swinging corner. Hutchinson, Delap and Philogene’s occasional breaks had been ended by Konate or Virgil van Dijk with little fanfare.

Ahead of the second half, the Blues switched Davis, who had been given a tough afternoon by Salah, for Conor Townsend. Davis was previously the only Town player to have played every minute of the Premier League season, while Townsend’s only league action was a single minute off the bench at Brentford.

The second half began as the first had ended, Salah moving the ball on to Szoboszlai on the right of the box in the 47th minute and the Hungarian international flashing a cross past everyone in the six-yard area.

Seven minutes after the restart, Delap got beyond Konate in the box but never looked in control and went to ground as the pair challenge, referee Salisbury waving away Town protests.

Hutchinson struck Town’s first shot of the game in the 60th minute, the former Chelsea man’s effort following a half-cleared corner causing Alisson little difficulty, the Brazilian saving comfortably down to his right.

The Blues’ first effort on goal woke the home fans up, the Anfield faithful having been unusually quiet with their team already having had the game won, with the Town fans responding in kind.

But Liverpool had continued to dominate and look for holes in the Blues’ defence. And in the 66th minute, they added their fourth. Alexander-Arnold crossed from the right and Gakpo got behind the Town backline and headed into the roof of the net. VAR checked for offside but upheld the decision.

Having gone four goals in front, the Reds swapped Gakpo, Gravenberch and Szboszlai, who had been Liverpool’s most dangerous player for Harvey Elliott, Darwin Nunez and Wataru Endo.

Elliott was quickly into the action, screwing a volley wide having been found by a cross at the far post on the right.

On 74, after a corner had been cleared, Alexander-Arnold unleashed a powerful strike from more than 30 yards which just arced away from the angle of post and bar.

Delap, who had had a frustrating afternoon, was booked in the 75th minute for what the referee indicated was the latest in a succession of fouls.

Three minutes later, Salah cut the ball back from the byline on the right, the ball reaching Alexander-Arnold, who hit a first-time right-foot effort which hit the top of the bar.

Town made a triple change in the 89th minute with Enciso handed his debut and Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst also sent on with Hutchinson, Philogene and Delap making way. The Reds switched Mac Allister for Jayden Danns.

Enciso’s first action for Town was clattering into Endo having beaten the Japanese international to a bouncing ball. Endo required treatment and Enciso was booked by referee Salisbury.

With five minutes left on the clock, the Blues went close to pulling a goal back. Enciso sent Broadhead away on the left, the Welshman moved it on to Townsend, who sent over a superb cross, which Hirst headed goalwards but too close to Alisson, who was able to save sharply down to his right. Liverpool subsequently swapped Diaz for Federico Chiesa.

In the final scheduled minute, prior to five additional minutes, the Blues pulled a goal back. Enciso whipped over a corner from the left and Greaves out-battled Elliott to power home his first goal for the club, giving the Town support, who had had a tough week, something to cheer about, which they continued to do for the remaining minutes.

Town won a couple of corners in the closing moments from Broadhead and Enciso crosses before referee Salisbury ended the afternoon.

The Blues’ support once again showed their appreciation of their players and staff following another heavy defeat.

The gulf between the teams was evident throughout with Liverpool in total control and never having to really force the game, knowing that the chances to make their superiority tell would come. And when they did, they finished most of their better opportunities clinically.

Town battled away gamely, although manager McKenna will be unhappy with the defending for a number of the goals, but once the first goal went in in the 11th minute where the points would go was never in doubt with Liverpool now unbeaten in 18 in the Premier League.

Hirst was unlucky not to score with his header after Broadhead and Townsend had again made bright contributions, while Enciso was the pick of the two debutants - albeit at a time when the game was already dead and buried and with Liverpool having made changes - having picked up his first Town assist and showing great enthusiasm to get involved throughout, as Endo discovered.

There’s little disgrace in losing at Anfield and there was no repeat either of the 5-0 which saw the Blues relegated here in 2002 or of the 6-0 loss at home to Manchester City last week.

Next up, a more important fixture from a survival point of view, Southampton at Portman Road on Saturday, the Saints having lost 3-1 at home to Newcastle United.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (c), Robertson, Gravenberch (Nunez 69), Mac Allister (Danns 80), Szoboszlai (Endo 69), Salah, Gakpo (Elliott 69), Diaz (Chiesa
86). Unused: Kelleher, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.

Town: Walton, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis (Townsend 46), Morsy (c), Phillips, Burns (Johnson 29), Hutchinson (Enciso 79), Philogene (Broadhead 79), Delap (Hirst 79). Unused: Muric, Godfrey, Taylor, Luongo. Referee: Michael Salisbury (Preston). VAR: Paul Tierney. Att: 60,420.

Photo: Reuters

Bert added 17:48 - Jan 25 It’s a weird feeling thinking that a 4-1 loss is better than expected. We must go after Southampton on Saturday, attack from the off and punish their defence. We need points !
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Northstandveteran added 17:52 - Jan 25 The only moan I had was why not leave Delap up on the halfway line? Today called for McCarthyesc hoofball. 10 behind the ball but with a physically strong Delap who can out muscle and hold up a ball. Not poor old Freddie Sears trying to get on the end of a Chambers hoof admittedly, but a similar style. Great for the travelling fans to see a goal and it does show we still have that fighting spirit. The season starts now and despite us realistically needing 6/7 wins we're still in with a good shout of staying up, he says in his blue tinted glasses.

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wedgieblue added 17:53 - Jan 25 Let’s be honest, who would have expected anything different from this and Man City. Two world class sides and us playing Wimbledon away 2 years ago. There were some good performances out there and the subs made an impact. Recent additions have shown the club’s desire to stay up. And looking at the run in I am confident that we will, but only just. 17th or bust…!!!
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TomGarneys added 17:57 - Jan 25 In McKenna we trust!
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Leejames99 added 18:02 - Jan 25 @robsonwark I am most certainly not wanting us to go down, how ridiculous! I just don't think the stars of league one will keeper us up. We know you love Walton, but he is no better than Muric imo all you need to do is look at the stats Muric is still third for shot stopping and I think he gets to 2 of today's goals. Just no need to be rude, of course in retrospect I think dome fans want us to just play the 'old guard' as people put it, sign nobody and keep sentiment, it's ridiculous. Even Davis is struggling now, the only 2 from Old guard who should be realistically in squad at this level is Broadhead, Davis and Burgess. Thanks for your opinion

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Bluewhiteboy added 18:04 - Jan 25 So last week o I got loads of abuse for saying a player colliding with our keeper was only a yellow, this week our player does it higher and with his knee but that's fine?? Tbh happy with today,Liverpool were kind on us and wolves losing.
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TheLoveOfWisdom added 18:05 - Jan 25 Ok firstly repeated the same as after the City game... IT's LIVERPOOL However: 1. Dissappointed that we weren't pressing from the off, we just sat back. Just asking for trouble and I want to see us have a go at least, even if it is liverpool. 2. Philogene seemed a bit shy, thought he'd try and take people on a bit more and be more fearless. Burns doesn't really do it anymore, guess he's lost a bit of pace in the last year. You'd expect young new signings to be a bit more adventurous. Surprised McKenna was so conservative to be honest. Sit back or not, Liverpool are Liverpool, so we might as well have a go.

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Marinersnose added 18:06 - Jan 25 If we are going to stick with Walton in goal then Broadhead has to be in the starting lineup as Walton kicks long and we concede possession. Broadhead and Hutchinson are the only two who can look after the ball and carry it forward. Delap will obviously be the 50/50 target from the kick. I expected nothing less than a defeat today but until Broadhead entered the fray we rarely managed to get up the field except Hutchinson’s shot on target. We didn’t make the game difficult today in any way. It was good for Greaves to get a goal late on and one could argue Hirst should’ve scored minutes earlier with a simple header . We have to be far better against the Saints who have played well recently

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Orraman added 18:09 - Jan 25 We’ve just lost to two of the best teams on the planet but our relegation rivals have still to play them. Now that they are out of the way our season can seriously begin. Time to show the rest of PL just how good we can be. Once our new signings get the feel of the club I am sure we will avoid relegation.
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ImAbeliever added 18:11 - Jan 25 Loads of good comments on here today. Result was always likely, but glad to have drawn 2nd half.
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warfarinman69 added 18:12 - Jan 25 I didn't see the game, but we seem to need a settled defence. Shame we lost Burns, and I think Godfrey should have come on. Davis appears to need a rest from what everyone is saying. Neither GK are Premier League class based on what I have seen at PR, but let's stick with Walton. There's a disconnect on the right of thr defence, but one that work on training ground and consistency of selection. Again, based only on PR games, Morsy's lack of pace is killing us.

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SickParrot added 18:17 - Jan 25 At least we scored a goal at the end and it's better than losing 6 nil, but the report indicates that a lot of our defending was poor again and that Liverpool could've scored several more. I guess our confidence was (understandably) low after last weekend but not having a shot until late in the game is very disappointing. If we're going to stay up we must defend better and create more goal scoring opportunities, starting with the Southampton game. We must win really but we don't usually cope well with the added pressure of such games. As we do need all 3 points I wonder if we should play 4,2,3,1 so that Enciso can play centrally just behind Delap, with Hutchinson on the right and Broadhead or Philogene on the left. Maybe start Townsend as a more defensive left back too?

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BlueRuin69 added 18:23 - Jan 25 This season was always about finishing 4th bottom and avoiding relegation, especially as we came from league one two years ago. We are right in the fight with Wolves, all we need to do is better them. Next season we will be better. COYB
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RobsonWark added 18:27 - Jan 25 LeeJames can you not cash out on your bet mate? If you have made a bet on Sky Bet you can mate. It's obvious you have a double on Liverpool winning the Premiership and Ipswich being relegated. It's not going to happen as Walton is now our No.1. I think you should be banned from this site if you mention Muric as our goal keeper one more time.
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blueboy1981 added 18:27 - Jan 25 Well it’s Wolves to finish above now - Everton gaining three unexpected points today, and now showing us a clean pair of heels. Three Points a MUST against Southampton - let’s not underestimate the importance of that, or decry that importance either. If we don’t - then our fate is almost certain - like it or not, it’s True because we do not look remotely capable of picking up ‘unexpected’ points against higher Teams. In fact, there could be repeats ahead of the last two game results - if improvement is not forthcoming VERY SOON !! Cue the Usuals !

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RobsonWark added 18:30 - Jan 25 Also LeeJames maybe you should stop contradicting yourself... "Even Davis is struggling now, the only 2 from Old guard who should be realistically in squad at this level is Broadhead, Davis and Burgess" Should Davis be in or be out? Maybe you need to learn to count aswell?
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Jcb2007 added 18:36 - Jan 25 I bet on a draw and Greaves to score. Half right. Broadhead needs to start and I like the look of our number 9 loan singing. On we go.
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dirtydingusmagee added 18:36 - Jan 25 Expected result and 4 -1 was not the spanking i expected or predicted so thats a plus Pity Everton won ive feeling they will edge away leaving us in a real dogfight.Its down to the nitty gritty now.We must start going at the opposition and give them something to worry about.Shame about Burns hope he makes a good recovery.Hopefully Spurs will beat Leicester and limit damage Still need a couple of decent players in but not holding my breath now . COYB .

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Leejames99 added 18:43 - Jan 25 @robsonwark Funny guy not rising to your pettiness, I said Davis may need a rest. Not replying to your silly replies anymore, so I should be banned from mentioning Muric being an Ipswich player, rather than abuse have a look at stats and so you know Muric is an Ipswich Town player! I just like everyone else is allowed an opinion in a polite and appropriate manner!
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:44 - Jan 25 Blueboy - we beat Chelsea and Spurs away and took points from Villa , Brighton and Utd so we are more than capable of UNEXPECTED results.
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Tedray added 18:50 - Jan 25 sadly a predictable result bearing in mind the formation played and the weak midfield. I cannot understand the obsession with new forwards whilst the lack of quality in midfield is neglected.What exactly is the problem with Cajuste's knee.
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Lightningboy added 18:52 - Jan 25 Crikey..some of the comments. I think my problem is that I set my standards by what George Burley achieved 20+ years ago..with very little money. Appreciate it's a very different time (not better though,just different). 15+ signings and this is how we're playing...just so negative...have a go,get stuck in...why are we so afraid of going forward?
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Northstandveteran added 18:58 - Jan 25 How did Enciso not get a red card? If it had happened outside the ground it would have been a police matter! :)))
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Eeyore added 19:01 - Jan 25 Broadhead was outstanding and spearheaded our mini come-back. His control ,movement, acceleration and vision were in stark contrast to what had gone before. Hirst and Enciso also looked up for it when they came on. Our forwards had all been well off the pace before then. The corner from Enciso was perfect. Lucky he went over and took the ball from Phillips to take it. And lucky he didn’t get sent off before he had even touched the ball! Hirst was unlucky not to score just before Greaves did. Great movement. We need Hirst in the box and we need crosses! Delap is now a shadow of the player we were watching a few weeks ago. His work rate has fallen so much. His movement is just not there. Hirst will probably start now with Delap the impact player. So many passes intercepted. Just not sharp enough in attacking areas. Sadly it wasn’t just that Liverpool were good. In theory we have attackers who should trouble any defence, but they never laid a glove on Liverpool until the last 10. Morsy and Phillips did ok and held their own. The defence really struggled. Especially Davis against Salah. Davis gave the ball away in dangerous areas and must be close to being given a rest. The movement of Liverpools front players can be quite dazzling and at times our defenders could only stand like statues and watch. Philogene was worryingly off the pace. He finally broke away in the second half but Salah caught him up and took the ball so easily it was embarrassing. Just hope it’s a fitness issue. I think it was Omari who was dispossessed in a similar way by Trent. Liverpool defenders are often vulnerable. They could certainly relax today. Still 4-1. and 1-1 second half is no all bad. The mini comeback was more a case of Ipswich perking up a bit than Liverpool waiting for the whistle. If the we start the next match like we ended this one we will be ok. The away fans brilliant as always. Yes singing about winning the FA cup just once is quite funny at Anfield. And the home fans retorted with the same song but with rather more trophies mentioned. It was possibly an unequal contest just like the match but at least we gave it a go!

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billlm added 19:07 - Jan 25 Muric will be back in next week, Davis is good but that's it at this level, can't get past the first man at corners painful to watch others can, And broadheads has to play a more prominent part,
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