Kieran McKenna chose to reflect on the positives after his struggling Ipswich Town side were well beaten by Liverpool. A Cody Gakpo brace and goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah earned the Reds a comfortable 4-1 Premier League win at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Liverpool, who remain six points clear at the summit with a game in hand, could have won by more before taking their foot off the gas in the closing stages, which allowed Jacob Greaves to head in a late consolation for the visitors.

And after Ipswich had been hammered 6-0 at home by champions Manchester City last weekend, McKenna was pleased his players didn’t fold in a similar fashion once more.

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“It was a difficult game, and difficult position to be in at half-time but also a frustrating position,” he said.

“In some aspects it was similar to last week. There were some positives in the first half. It didn’t feel like we were under huge pressure and we started the game well.

“From not a huge amount of pressure we were a goal then a few goals behind. Liverpool executed well and we didn’t defend the box well enough.

“Especially after last week it was a difficult game-management scenario. I think we can take a lot of positives from the second half.

“In the early stages we stuck together and stayed organised and managed the game pretty well and showed some passages and moves, and finished the game strongly. The subs came on and made an impact, we got a goal back and we could have had another one.”

McKenna added: “It’s a difficult game on top of a difficult game last week. We have made some mistakes we can learn from. But I feel like it’s one where if we take the lessons in the right way we can be stronger for it given how we finished.

“The fans were fantastic. They were incredible. They appreciate the challenge and the size of the jump but they were incredible and I'm delighted we could give them a goal at the end.”

Ipswich suffered a setback in the first half when midfielder Wes Burns left the field on a stretcher with what appeared a serious knee injury sustained when challenging Gakpo.

“It’s not good,” said McKenna. “We have fingers crossed but he’s in a knee brace and on crutches and going for a scan. We are hoping it’s not as bad as it looks.”

And after left-back Leif Davis failed to appear for the second half, McKenna added: “He was sick this week. He wanted to have a go at it but felt sick during game and was sick at half-time.”