Liverpool started well against Ipswich on Saturday as they looked to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The Reds knew they had a good chance to put three more points on the board as the relegation threatened Tractor Boys travelled to Anfield.
But having found the going a little tough at Portman Road on the first day of the Premier League season, Liverpool also knew they couldn’t take anything for granted.
Thankfully, the Reds started like a team 34 points ahead of their opponents and got an early goal to show for it.
It came via the left boot of Dominik Szoboszlai, as the Hungarian drilled a low shot past Christian Walton.
The strike was excellent from Szoboszlai, who recorded his fourth goal of the season. According to pundit Paul Merson, though, there was a second Liverpool player who deserved praise for the effort.
Ibrahima Konate praised for ‘lovely’ assist
Liverpool had to make sure they were professional against an Ipswich side who can cause problems on their day.
However, having been thumped 6-0 by Manchester City last weekend, Kieran McKenna’s team were also there for the taking at Anfield.
Happily, Liverpool took advantage of that, getting their noses in front after just 11 minutes.
It was nicely done from Szoboszlai, who has been in good form of late, but speaking on Sky Sports, Merson also praise the assist from Ibrahima Konate.
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“Brilliant goal, brilliant goal,” raved the pundit. “Konate gets the ball, plays a lovely ball through the lines to Szoboszlai, he gets on the half turn, he turns, I think he’s going to put in Salah, he doesn’t choose to put in Salah.
“He comes onto his left foot, 20 yards out and he drills it in the corner. ‘Keeper gets a hand to it, pushes it into the side netting. It’s a brilliant finish, brilliant start for Liverpool. 11 minutes gone, game over.”
Mohamed Salah gets a second
After getting the early goal Liverpool were always likely to dominate against Ipswich, and that’s exactly what they then did.
The Reds had to wait a little to get the second, but when they got it, it was sumptuously taken by Mohamed Salah.
“What a finish Mo Salah, great finish,” was Merson’s reaction on Sky. “Gakpo gets it, he comes inside, floats the ball to the far post, Szoboszlai gets up and he misses it.
“It falls to Salah, one touch and a half volley into the roof of the net at a really tight angle. It’s a brilliant finish and it’s 2-0 to Liverpool.”
Cody Gakpo added another goal for the Reds with a tap-in before half-time as the Reds put themselves firmly in control.
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