Boardman: “The biggest challenge to Liverpool’s title charge is ourselves” | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Premier League Charge Continues with Ruthless Display Against Ipswich

Liverpool’s march towards the Premier League title gathered momentum with a dominant 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men showcased their attacking firepower and defensive solidity, reinforcing their credentials as the team to beat. The latest episode of Post-Match RAW from Anfield Index dissected every aspect of the Reds’ performance, with contributors Guy Drinkel and Jim Boardman offering their insights.

Ruthless First-Half Dominance

From the first whistle, Liverpool were relentless in their pursuit of goals. Ipswich, who came into the game hoping to contain the Reds, found themselves overwhelmed. Guy Drinkel encapsulated the opening period, stating: “We were just kind of rampant at this time and I think quite a lot of people may be thinking let’s do five subs at half-time.”

Mohamed Salah, who has returned to his devastating best this season, was instrumental. As Boardman observed, “This season, he’s just gone back to where it can make everything look so easy.” Salah’s movement and finishing were at their lethal best, and Ipswich struggled to cope with the Egyptian’s quality.

Liverpool’s patience and precision in attack were key. Drinkel noted the importance of their approach: “Just waiting and waiting and waiting till the time’s right… It was relentless from us by this stage.” The third goal, arriving just before the break, was a testament to their patience. Alexis Mac Allister’s pressing won the ball high up the pitch, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to test the keeper before Cody Gakpo pounced on the rebound.

Tactical Brilliance from Slot

Slot’s tactical adjustments have been a talking point all season, and this match was no exception. Cody Gakpo’s reinvention as a left-winger has been one of the standout changes under the new manager. Drinkel highlighted this: “Almost a player transformed… as a left winger, he’s just looked so much more comfortable, so much more impactful.”

Liverpool’s ability to switch seamlessly between their attacking trio is another sign of their evolution under Slot. Drinkel pointed out: “We’ve seen Diaz playing in the centre, and he’s one who can play across all three, and I think Darwin’s had some good moments out on the left as well.”

Photo: IMAGO

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Statement Performance

A recurring theme in the discussion was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s resurgence. The right-back was instrumental in Liverpool’s play, with Drinkel describing his second-half performance as a reminder of his brilliance: “From 55 minutes onwards, he was just phenomenal—every ball was perfect.”

The highlight of Trent’s evening was a pinpoint cross that allowed Gakpo to head home Liverpool’s fourth. Drinkel summed it up perfectly: “It was just floated, and it was literally like if you were designing a football game… you’d spend hours getting it right, but this was in real-time.”

However, uncertainty looms over Alexander-Arnold’s future, with rumours swirling about a potential departure. Boardman reflected on the emotional weight of such speculation: “We’ve almost taken him for granted a little bit… any side in the world would want him.”

Defensive Lapse Prevents a Perfect Night

The only blemish on Liverpool’s night was conceding a late goal, which frustrated Boardman: “It takes the shine off the game a little bit that you’ve conceded… It would have felt so much better to have been 4-0.”

Set-pieces remain a concern for Slot’s side, with Boardman lamenting the marking setup that saw Harvey Elliott tasked with defending against Ipswich’s towering centre-backs: “If you’ve got Harvey Elliott marking probably one of their biggest players, something’s gone wrong there in the preparation.”

Despite the late setback, Liverpool’s performance sent a clear message to the rest of the league. With a six-point lead and a game in hand, as Boardman put it: “The biggest challenge to Liverpool’s title charge is ourselves.”

Photo: IMAGO

Looking Ahead

With the Premier League title in sight, Liverpool must continue their professional approach. Drinkel offered a rallying cry: “Just take each game as it comes, keep winning, keep being professional, keep doing what you need to do.”

As the Reds juggle domestic and European commitments, the confidence in Slot’s project is growing. With Alexander-Arnold back to his best, Salah firing again, and Gakpo thriving in his new role, Liverpool look primed for success.