Four issues Arne Slot discovered as champions-elect Liverpool placed on five-star present
Arne Slot’s Liverpool maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League as the Reds ran rampant 4-1 against Ipswich Town.
Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo put the game to bed in the first half at Anfield. Gakpo added his second after the break, with Jacob Greaves grabbing a late consolation goal for the Tractor Boys.
Elsewhere, Arsenal managed to edge out a 1-0 win over Wolves in a heated affair at Molineux which saw both sides reduced to 10-men. The two results mean the Gunners still sit six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand on Arsenal and their title rivals.
And here are four things Slot and Liverpool learned from the routine win over Ipswich at Anfield…
Job done by half-time

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The game at Anfield was done and dusted before half-time, with Liverpool three goals to the good against Ipswich. Liverpool were better, faster and stronger than Ipswich, who failed to lay a glove on the Premier League leaders.
It was as good an opening 45 minutes Slot could have hoped for, especially with a tough test against Bournemouth up next in the Premier League, via a trip to Eindhoven to play PSV in the Champions League.
With all the teams around them seemingly going through their own respective struggles, Liverpool just keep plugging away – whilst still having a game in hand on their title rivals.
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Liverpool’s 2023 summer window was one for the ages

(Image: AP)
A lot was made of Liverpool’s decision at the time to not pursue a deal for Jude Bellingham when he was set to leave Borussia Dortmund. Bellingham ended up going to Real Madrid, whilst Liverpool opted to sign Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, revamping and reshaping their entire midfield.
And it now looks as though the decision to spend around the same of money on the trio over Bellingham was the right decision.
The Reds trio bring an abundance of energy to Liverpool’s midfield, setting the tone for how they want to play. They’re physical, good on the ball, all in their prime and are a big part of why the Reds sit top of the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah needs a new deal

(Image: Liverpool FC)
We’ve written this a lot this season in our Liverpool match reports, but along as the Egyptian keeps scoring for the Reds, we’ll continue to write it.
Salah scored his 19th goal in the Premier League this season. For perspective, last season he scored 18 in 32 and the season before that, 19 in 38.
What he is doing this season is nothing short of spectacular and the fact he could depart Anfield on a free at the end of the season is still stunning. To replace his goals and assists this season would cost Liverpool a fortune.
Maybe the Reds board know better than all of us, and maybe Salah’s demands are outlandish. But right now, he is in irresistible form. He has done everything right on the pitch and surely this won’t be his last season at Anfield, will it?
Cody Gakpo continues to impress

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
At the start of the season, it looked as though Luis Diaz had locked down Liverpool’s left-wing spot. The Colombian was in excellent form but that starting left-wing berth now belongs to Cody Gakpo, who under Arne Slot has been a man transformed.
Used in a three-man midfield or as a centre-forward, Gakpo looked to potentially be heading out the door at Anfield following some inconsistent performances under former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
However, under Slot, who has utilised him on the left, Gakpo has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season. He produced a stunning assist for Salah’s goal and scored Liverpool’s third and fourth.
Slot deserves credit for getting the best out of Gakpo, who is now one of the first names on Liverpool’s teamsheet.