Liverpool rout Ipswich, Arsenal survive red card drama to beat Wolves

BeSoccer 6 months ago 7.9k
Liverpool beat Ipswich Town 4-1 at Anfield on Saturday. AFP

Premier League leaders Liverpool thrashed Ipswich 4-1 to maintain their six-point lead over Arsenal, who survived Myles Lewis-Skelly's controversial red card to snatch a 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.

Arne Slot's side cruised to their second successive league victory thanks to a first-half goal-spree at Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai's 11th-minute opener fizzed past Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton from Ibrahima Konate's assist. Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool's advantage in the 35th minute with a fierce strike for his 23rd goal in all competitions this term. It was also the Egypt forward's 100th Premier League goal at Anfield.

Gakpo killed off Ipswich before half-time when he bundled home after Walton parried Szoboszlai's shot in the 44th minute. The Dutch forward netted again in the 66th minute, heading past Walton from Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross. Jacob Greaves' stoppage-time diving header was little consolation for third-bottom Ipswich, who have conceded 10 goals in their last two league games. Liverpool's 16th win from 22 league games this season keeps them on course for a first English title since 2020.

The quadruple-chasing Reds have a game in hand on second-placed Arsenal, who left it late before keeping the pressure on the leaders. Arsenal, without ill captain Martin Odegaard, had Lewis-Skelly contentiously sent off for tripping Matt Doherty to stop a Wolves counter-attack in the 43rd minute. It was a cynical challenge but Arsenal were furious, protesting that the tackle was too far from goal to warrant a red card.

The Premier League Match Centre confirmed on social media that the 18-year-old defender was sent off for "serious foul play". But Wolves were also reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when Joao Gomes earned a second booking for a foul on Jurrien Timber. And Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori won it for Arsenal in the 74th minute with a half-volley that went in off the far post.

Mentioned in the news story

Premier League
AFC Bournemouth
Ipswich Town
Newcastle
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Liverpool
Brighton & Hove Albion
M. Salah
Jan Bednarek
Alexander Isak
Justin Kluivert
D. Szoboszlai
Cody Gakpo
Sandro Tonali
A. Semenyo
R. Calafiori
J. Greaves
I. Ndiaye
D. Ouattara