Ipswich Town defender Jacob Greaves was disappointed that his side couldn’t give Premier League leaders a tougher test at Anfield, but was pleased by how they responded late on after a difficult start.

A brace from Cody Gakpo coupled with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah put the Reds into a commanding position, although Greaves’ first goal in Town colours reduced the deficit at the end of the match.

“It was tough,” the 24-year-old said after the match. “When you’re 3-0 down at half time, it’s a bit like damage limitation when you come out in the second half.

“I thought that, as a team, we stuck together. We knew what our role was in the second half – we had to be more resolute and limit their chances. I think we did that.

“Throughout the game, they had a couple of chances but, if I remember correctly, they didn’t have too many shots on goal, which is a little bit frustrating if you look back on it.

“It was a tough afternoon. It was a tough one to take with the first goal, scoring it so early. It meant that they could put a little bit of pressure on us, the nerves in the stadium settled down when they scored to make it 1-0.

“It was a tough one, but sometimes you can concede early against world-class opposition. We did that today, and we’ve got to look back and see how we can stand stronger to not let it get to three.”

The frustration comes from the fact that Liverpool didn’t have to work hard for their goals.

The defender was frustrated that his side couldn't shut out the Reds early on (Image: Ross Halls)

For all of their quality, they didn’t create loads of chances. The difference was that they were clinical in front of goal, punishing Town for any gaps they left.

“They have got some unbelievable players,” Greaves admitted. “Salah has obviously been incredible, so it was about trying to limit him as much as possible. I felt like we did that.

“For his goal, we can defend it a little bit better. They are going to have chances, so it’s just about whether we can limit them to slender ones. Unfortunately we didn’t do that today, but I’m really proud of the group for how we stuck at it in the second half.”

For Greaves, this game was never a write-off. Town had an idea of how to frustrate Liverpool and take three points on Merseyside, but weren’t able to put that plan in action.

“We had a gameplan here today and we genuinely believed that we could get something from the game,” he explained. “There’s no point going into any game without believing that you can win, you might as well not turn up.

“Today wasn’t to be. We’ve got to move on quickly.”

A first Premier League goal was always going to be special for Greaves, especially away at Anfield.

The fact that it came late on does tarnish the feeling, however, with the former Hull City describing it as “a little bit bittersweet”.

He added: “When the delivery is on it like it has been this season, we’re going to create chances. Today, I got a chance and I put it in the back of the net.

Arne Slot's side were in control by half time (Image: Ross Halls)

“There’s no better place to do it than away at Anfield, so it’s one that I’ll probably remember for the rest of my life.

“I feel like we’ve got really good deliveries in the team – Leif [Davis], Conor [Townsend], Julio [Enciso] today, Kalvin [Phillips] as well.

“I feel like it’s on the money. We’ve just got to arrive in the right areas and we know that we can create chances if we get the blocks right.

“The little details that we got right today and fortunately I was able to score.

“It’s one to tell the grandkids about, as a lot of people say. I want to contribute and help the team. I’d rather do it when we’re getting beat 1-0 or drawing 1-1 to score the winner or an equaliser.

“It is what it is and I’ll move on.”

Enciso certainly impressed fans today. His fiery challenge on Wataru Endo saw him earn a booking just seconds after coming onto the pitch, but he got stuck in and put some great crosses into the box.

One, from a corner, allowed Greaves to get his goal.

“I’ve only seen him for two days, but I’ve seen a little bit of him in training,” he revealed. “I saw the goal he scored against Man City, which I think was nominated for the Puskas Award.

“He seems a really good kid. He hasn’t got amazing English so I’ll have to try and learn a bit of Spanish.

Greaves was impressed by Julio Enciso's Town debut (Image: Ross Halls)

“Hopefully he can help us for the rest of the season.”

The support was also crucial for Ipswich, with the away fans making most of the noise at Anfield across the 90 minutes. Greaves believes that the backing his side have received has helped them a lot, and will play a big part in their bid to avoid relegation.

“Incredible, honestly incredible,” he said. “Even at 4-0 down, they made so much noise. Until Liverpool fans started singing their trademark song, I couldn’t really hear too much of them. It was a lot of the Ipswich fans singing.

“That’s going to be needed for the rest of the season. They were incredible today and I think a lot of lads bounced off it in the second half to put in a better performance.”

Games against Manchester City and Liverpool were always going to be tough. The focus turns to next weekend’s crucial clash against struggling Southampton, who visit Portman Road in a crunch clash at the bottom end of the division.

“It was a really important game when we went away to them – it feels like ages ago now,” Greaves recalled. “Obviously Skip [Sam Morsy] got a goal in the last minute, but we know it’s going to be a tough task.

“They aren’t in a place where they want to be but they have got good players than can hurt you on their day, so we know it’s going to be a big, big game, but no bigger than any of the other one of these Premier League games.

“We know that we’re going in there for three points in the fight for survival.”