The enduring genius of Mohamed Salah is that he is as comfortable leaving a football pitch in mucky boots as he is at trying to win golden ones. When any coach at any level wants a clip summing up the essence of a winning team and a superstar footballer, they need look no further than an action just before Liverpool’s fourth versus Ipswich Town.

With Liverpool on the point of turning the game into an exhibition, Salah was poised in his familiar position on the right. His intention was to play a one-two with Trent Alexander-Arnold or Dominik Szoboszlai, but instead he carelessly surrendered possession to Jaden Philogene, offering the chance to launch a counter-attack.

Just as Philogene reached the halfway line, Salah was at his heels. The Egyptian dashed 25 yards to remedy his mistake, retrieve the ball and start another Liverpool attack. Thirty seconds later, an Alexander-Arnold cross for Cody Gakpo led to the Dutchman heading Liverpool 4-0 ahead.

Hard work precedes glory, and Salah typifies how thriving in the front line means being willing to help out in the trenches. “Mostly with Mo, it’s about his contract or his goals and now it’s his defensive work-rate,” smiled his manager Arne Slot.

There isn’t one driving force in Liverpool’s title bid, but the team’s leaders set the standards. For those of us chronicling Liverpool’s attempt to win the English championship for the 20th time, there is a danger of engaging in a rotation policy, the qualities and feats of Salah and Virgil van Dijk unavoidably top of the agenda in each match report.

Whether the pair are motivated by the desire to win another Premier League and Champions League, or sending a message that these need not be their final laps of Anfield, Liverpool are reaping the rewards of their extraordinary talent. Those hoping for an Anfield wobble look likely to be disappointed with those two in such prime form.

Every week provides another startling reminder of Salah’s achievements, his latest Anfield goal his 100th in this stadium. With the second in this ruthless hammering – converting Cody Gakpo’s cross – Salah had scored more Premier League goals for Liverpool than Thierry Henry managed for Arsenal.

If he stays another couple of years, Salah could go past Wayne Rooney on that list. All that can prevent that, it seems, is if time runs out on those contract negotiations. Nobody wants this to be the topic of conversation after every Liverpool win, but the hands of that clock will feel like they are moving quicker as the season’s climax approaches.

Sunday marks exactly a year since Jürgen Klopp shocked the world by announcing the beginning of his farewell tour as Liverpool manager. When he appeared ashen-faced on screen to reveal he would quit Anfield, no one doubted the truth and integrity of the statement.

Salah has signposted his own exit on several occasions. The absence of a formal statement, or a sombre, pre-written script delivered to a club media camera, means the sincerity of those words are the subject of debate. Nobody believes Salah wants this to be the end.

And yet the possibility remains that Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold could achieve what eluded Klopp: the perfect goodbye.

If Salah goes, he will depart leaving the punters wanting more, at the top of his game, with memories only of him terrorising full-backs, as he did to poor Leif Davis here. The defender was subbed at half-time, his manager Kieran McKenna saying he felt ill. Salah had probably caused dizziness.

Salah is not alone in leaving everything out there. “I think that stood out because we could all see [it],” said Slot, of the retrieving tackle. “But if you look at almost all the times we have lost the ball, I saw the reaction of many players.

“It’s so difficult to control counter-attacks, and the only way to do so is to do what Mo did in this moment and other players in different moments. That’s why I was pleased with the performance.”

Liverpool scored three before half-time and by full-time had registered 54 in the Premier League for the season, the most in the top flight.

Ipswich’s chances of avoiding a return to the Championship look forlorn after a sobering fortnight. Manchester City struck six past them last weekend. Liverpool looked primed to score as many as they liked once Szoboszlai stroked them into an 11th-minute lead. The perfectionist Slot might be livid they conceded Jacob Greave’s late consolation.

“We take a lot of positives from the second half,” said McKenna. “We managed the game pretty well and finished the game strong. The subs came on and had an impact and the fans got some rewards with the goal. We made some mistakes but, if we take the lessons in the right way, we can be stronger.”

What looked like a serious injury to Wes Burns was one of many setbacks for the visitors, however. The gap between the side at the top and the newcomer from the Championship is evidently too wide, the likelihood of such a mismatch too predictable.

But Liverpool have outclassed better teams than Ipswich this season, with Salah and Van Dijk inspirational at either end of the pitch. If there is a parting between Liverpool and either of their legends, it will provoke the sweetest sorrow.

05:39 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings an end to our coverage of this afternoon’s Premier League ties as Liverpool and Arsenal claimed three points while Bournemouth thrashed Nottingham Forest.

A reminder you can follow our updates of Chelsea’s visit to Manchester City here.

05:33 PM GMT

Arteta ‘fuming’ with ‘obvious’ red card decision

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “It’s incredible what the boys did again. In the context that we were thrown in again, it was about character, personality of the team, courage and intelligence to play the game we wanted to play. It was exceptional.”

On Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card, he said: “It is that clear that I leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you. Because it is that obvious. I don’t think my words are going to help.”

Whether he had an explanation from match officials: “No.”

Whether he will be appealing against the decision: “That’s for the club to decide what the best decision is. I think it’s that obvious, maybe we don’t even need to.”

On how Lewis-Skelly is doing: “He is really happy now that the team won and we found a way to win it.”

05:31 PM GMT

‘My heart has still not settled’, says Moyes

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Everton boss David Moyes said: “My heart has still not settled after that!

“It ended up a great results for us. Really important for us, we are too close to the bottom.

“A lot of belief coming back.

“Brighton put us to the sword, but we got the goal that mattered.”

05:31 PM GMT

Scoring first was ‘key’, says Iraola

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said: “It was a great result. We knew we were facing a very good team on a very good run.

“To score first was key. Most of the last games they have been winning from the first half. The goal at the beginning helped us and made the game look better for us.”

On hat-trick hero Dango Ouattara, he said: “I think he has been very good, all the games, the four he has played as a number nine. I think he’s playing really well. He’s been a threat, plus he helps with the link-up play. We can use him in many positions.

“I think we are not going to change. We are taking the games game by game. We have Liverpool next. We are thin on numbers so we try to recover players for that game. Still there are a lot of games to play. I will not change the approach we are taking.

“I hope they [the fans] are enjoying. It’s always difficult when you are in the Premier League. You are facing the best teams in the country. The players are giving everything and they are getting good results. There will be a moment when we do not do this. I think the supporters understand this and they enjoy not only when we win, but all they ask is we give everything. And that’s what we try to do.”

05:29 PM GMT

Veltman on decisive handball

Speaking to PLP, Brighton defender Joel Veltman said: “[The penalty decision] was a long ball forward from them and I was sandwiched between two guys.

“I got a little push from the right hand side that moved my hand forward and the ball was there. When you fall your automatic reaction is to try to get your hands forward onto the ground before you hit your head, it was more a reaction than a purpose handball.

“I would 100% have headed it or cleared it with my feet without the push, like a corner kick or something.

On the boos from the home fans, he said: “I think the fans were booing because we were 1-0 behind and then they were unhappy with some of the referee’s decisions. I understand their frustrations. At home against Everton we have to do better, we need to look in the mirror and not blame other things.

Discussing Everton’s performance, he said: “Everton have those qualities to how do you say it ‘park the bus’ and wait for a counter attack and at times hope for some breaks. We did well second half but we could not make a 100% percent chance and that is what we have to improve.

“You need to not go 1-0 behind against these types of teams but if you do then you need to play better and create more - use the sides and cross more when we have Danny [Welbeck], Joao [Pedro] and Georginio [Rutter].

On Brighton’s home form, he said:“I don’t know why the home form is not that good. Sometimes you have seasons where home form is good and away from home not so good. Sometimes you have the opposite. Hopefully we can change that against Chelsea.”

05:25 PM GMT

‘We have to continue fighting’, says Sa

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa said: “It was a tough game. We had a good opportunity to win from this game, if we then take our opportunities. In the end, we lose and we are sad about that.”

On Joao Gomes’ red card, he said: “We didn’t surrender but yes, maybe. Maybe they win more confidence after that and maybe it was a crucial decision.”

Discussing Wolves’ season, the keeper said: “It’s difficult and it’s hard and we have to keep positive and we have to continue fighting. We will see the end.”

On the need for picking up points, he said: “In the Premier League, all the games are difficult so we have continue being positive and doing our best, to try to win and win points that we need.”

05:23 PM GMT

‘Three points feel big’, says Tarkowski

Speaking to PLP, Everton defender James Tarkowski said: “The three points feel big. We have had a tough period the last few months and it is great to get back to back wins.

“It is a tough place to come, Brighton are a good team and to be down to ten for whatever reason at the end but grind it out, it feels big. We won’t get carried away, there’s still a long way to go, but to go back to back within a week is big.

“I was nervous [for the penalty]. I didn’t even watch. I don’t know how it went in but I don’t care. Calm and collected, that is what we expect of him [Ndiaye]. We’ve not scored loads, we got a few last week, so it is nice to get one whichever way it comes.

“We got the goal, defended well and we knew that the second half was going to be tough. We have seen them come back against Man City and other teams here which shows how good they are.

“We have been resilient, grinded it out with ten men for 10-15 minutes or so, and everyone from the front of the pitch to the back played their part. Very proud of the lads. Let’s move on and go again.

“We did deal with it [Brighton’s threat] and it hasn’t always been that way this year. We have given leads away and gifted teams goals at times but today was a real team performance. The fans can enjoy their trip home because it has been tough at times, they can enjoy that one.”

05:20 PM GMT

Cook and Bournemouth looking up the table

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook said: “A great game of football, especially scoring that many goals. We knew it was going to be a test, they are a great team. We’re delighted.”

On Dango Outtara’s hat-trick, he said: “A few people had questions before he started playing that role. But we knew his quality. He’s been playing out of position but a hat-trick for him, he’s doing alright.

“We give it our all, that’s all you can do. We’re playing a great way. Credit has to go for our manager and the way he sets us up.

“The way we are in the table, we’re doing very well. I know it’s a cliché, but you have to take it game by game.

“It’s amazing for the club, considering where it was, and now where it’s going. We have an exciting project and hopefully we keep going up the table and solidify our place in the Premier League.”

05:17 PM GMT

‘It was clearly not a red card’, says Calfiori

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori said: “It’s so important to get this win, as you can imagine. But we want to win the next one as well. We want to continue like this.”

Discussing his winning goal, he said: “I said to my team-mates. I was laughing with them because I can only score goals like this. I must focus on easier things. It’s my job, you know.”

On Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card, he added: “From the bench, it was clearly not a red card. I saw him at half-time and he was so disappointed for the team. But in the end we won, so nothing happened. He is a good footballer and a good guy, so we help him a lot.”

On the team’s mentality in the second half, he said: “The strategy was not to put ourselves in a defensive mode. We wanted to try and win the game and we did.”

05:14 PM GMT

Where these results leave us

Liverpool remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League following their 4-1 win over Ipswich Town.

Arsenal ensured Arne Slot’s men didn’t extend their advantage further by snatching a 1-0 win away at Wolves.

Mikel Arteta’s men are now three points clear of Nottingham Forest following their 5-0 thumping away at Bournemouth.

Andoni Iraola’s men move up to sixth, level on points with Chelsea, and are now just one point shy of the top four.

Newcastle now occupy the fourth Champions League spot after a 3-1 triumph at Southampton.

Brighton remain in ninth after their defeat against Everton, who stay in 16th but move to within a point of Tottenham Hotspur.

Wolves and Ipswich remain in 17th and 18th, respectively, separated only by goal difference.

05:10 PM GMT

Man City vs Chelsea up next

There will be further implications on the race for the top four as Manchester City host Chelsea at 5:30pm.

Pep Guardiola’s side have shown signs of improvement with a 6-0 win over Ipswich Town in their last Premier League outing, but having surrendered two-goal leads against PSG and Brentford in games either side of the win at Portman Road, there is still evidence of vulnerability.

Chelsea ended a run of five games in the league without a win with victory over Wolves on Monday and they will hope today to end a 10-game winless run against City.

You can follow our detailed updates of this clash here.

05:09 PM GMT

Gakpo: ‘I love scoring here’

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, who scored twice and assisted another, has told BBC Sport: “I really do love scoring here but the most important thing was the win today.

“Everyone knows his quality [Trent Alexander-Arnold]. I was eager to be on time in the box [to meet his cross].

“Obviously we grow as a team. It’s one year more [from last season]. We have a different manager, a slightly different style of play - more possession based.

“Everyone is in good form but we have to keep going.”

05:04 PM GMT

Full-time results

• AFC Bournemouth 5-0 Nottingham Forest

• Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Everton

• Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich Town

• Southampton 1-3 Newcastle United

• Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Arsenal

05:04 PM GMT

Full time: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Everton 1

It’s back-to-back wins for David Moyes as his Everton side hang on to a massive 1-0 win away against Brighton thanks to Ndiaye’s penalty. It’s threatening to boil over at the Amex at full time.

05:01 PM GMT

Full time: Bournemouth 5 Nottingham Forest 0

What a result at the Vitality! Bournemouth have gone level on points with Chelsea in fifth after thrashing Nottingham Forest 5-0 with Ouattara scoring a hat-trick.

05:00 PM GMT

Full time: Liverpool 4 Ipswich Town 1

Despite a late consolation for Ipswich, it was a comfortable afternoon for Liverpool as they cruised to a 4-1 win with Gakpo bagging a brace. They remain six points clear with a game in hand.

04:59 PM GMT

Full time: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Arsenal 1

Following Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card, Arsenal fought valiantly in the second half to claim a crucial win thanks to Calfiori’s strike. Joao Gomes had picked up a second yellow to make it 10 vs 10 just moments before the goal.

04:56 PM GMT

Full time: Southampton 1 Newcastle United 3

It’s full time at St Mary’s and Newcastle return to winning ways with a convincing win over Southampton as the home side fall to a sixth defeat in a row in the league.

04:55 PM GMT

Optimistic Ipswich fans

Ipswich fans are jubilant as Jacob Greaves makes it 1-1 in the second half.

“We’re going to win 5-4,” they’re singing.

04:53 PM GMT

GOAL! Ipswich score consolation

Liverpool 4 Ipswich Town 1 (Greaves) After being dominated for 90 minutes, the visitors have a consolation to deny Liverpool a clean sheet and it’s defender Greaves with a diving header from the corner.

04:52 PM GMT

GOAL! Semenyo makes it five for Bournemouth

Bournemouth 5 Nottingham Forest 0 (Semenyo) Semenyo finally gets in on the act as he rounds off a five-star display from Bournemouth.

Tavernier plays in the winger down the left and he just side-foots home into the corner.

04:50 PM GMT

Alisson called into action

Alisson has had nothing to do for 85 minutes but has just pulled off a worldie save to deny George Hirst. Slot would be fuming if Liverpool do not keep a clean sheet. Chiesa has now come on for his weekly five minute cameo. He usually assists or scores...

04:49 PM GMT

Enciso gets away with one

Given some of the other red cards around the Premier League today, new Ipswich signing Julio Enciso can consider himself extremely lucky not to see red for a WWE move on Wataru Endo.

04:48 PM GMT

GOAL! Outtarra bags hat-trick

Bournemouth 4 Nottingham Forest 0 (Ouattara) For a second-successive week, Bournemouth have scored four with one of their players scoring a hat-trick - this week it’s Ouattara going home with the match-ball.

Sels parries Kluivert’s effort straight to the striker who can tap home. An afternoon to forget for the visitors.

04:46 PM GMT

GOAL DISALLOWED! Southampton denied by VAR

Southampton 1 Newcastle United 3 Southampton think they are back in it as Matheus Fernandes finishes excellently following McCarthy’s long kick forward but VAR intervenes and it is ruled out for offside.

04:41 PM GMT

78 mins: Liverpool 4 Ipswich Town 0

Alexander-Arnold takes aim from 25 yards but sees his dipping effort go just over. He has enjoyed himself this afternoon with time and space to show his quality.

Moments later and the full-back sees an effort from inside the area crash off the post.

04:40 PM GMT

Few complaints over Wolves dismissal

Wolves now down to ten men and, on this occasion, there can be few complaints.

Joao Gomes has been given a second yellow after a foul on Jurrien Timber and was walking a tightrope after a booking in the first half.

He had kicked the ball away for the first caution so this crude challenge on Timber was always a risk.

Michael Oliver may have got this one right, but is certain to be the big subject of debate after this game

04:38 PM GMT

GOAL! Calafiori scores crucial goal for Arsenal

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Arsenal 1 (Calafiori) Just moments after Wolves go down to 10, Arsenal make it pay.

The ball is headed clear by the home side but it drops to Calafiori who can fire home into the bottom corner and give Arsenal a massive lead.

There is a VAR check as Havertz appears to be in an offside position when the shot came in but the goal stands!

04:34 PM GMT

RED CARD! Joao Gomes sees red

It’s going to be 10 vs 10 for the closing stages as Joao Gomes picks up a second yellow for a rash challenge on Timber the edge of the Arsenal box. It could have been a straight red in all honesty.

04:33 PM GMT

Salah instrumental

A moment to sum up Salah. He passed the ball to Ipswich’s Jaden Philogene, scampered back 25 yards to retrieve it back from the winger. Thirty seconds later Alexander-Arnold is crossing for Gakpo to make it 4-0. It all begins with Salah’s application.

04:32 PM GMT

68 mins: Wolverhampton 0 Arsenal 0

The chances are starting to come at Molineux and after a good headed chance is spurned by Havertz, Cunha is denied from range by an excellent save from Raya before the Brazilian has a first-time effort from inside the area go just wide of the post following a corner moments later.

04:29 PM GMT

GOAL! Gakpo adds a fourth for Liverpool

Liverpool 4 Ipswich Town 0 (Gakpo) Liverpool continue to dominate and add a fourth to show for it. This one is all about the delivery from Alexander-Arnold which finds Gakpo and the Dutchman nods home for his second.

04:25 PM GMT

Arsenal dominant despite red card

Arsenal may be down to ten men but remain the dominant team here at Molineux.

They are piling the pressure on the Wolves goal, without truly testing Jose Sa, yet the atmosphere is tense.

Could the absence of a forward prove costly once again for Mikel Arteta?

04:23 PM GMT

GOAL! Ouattara scores his second of the day

Bournemouth 3 Nottingham Forest 0 (Ouattara) Moments after having a third ruled out for offside, Bournemouth do extend their advantage through Ouattara as he bags his second of the day.

Forest give the ball away and Adams plays in Ouattara. He still has work to do but the central defenders fail to shut him down and he drills home into the bottom corner.

04:21 PM GMT

61 mins: Southampton 1 Newcastle United 3

Newcastle go so close to adding a fourth as Murphy goes on a great run but he strikes the upright with his effort on goal.

04:19 PM GMT

Davis withdrawn after difficult first half

Least surprising substitution of the day. Poor Ipswich left Davis has been given a break from being haunted by Salah. It’s not made an immediate difference. Liverpool could have scored twice in first two minutes of the second half.

04:18 PM GMT

GOAL DISALLOWED! Kluivert denied by the flag

Kluivert plays a wonderful one-two with Ouattara and slots home but replays show that the latter was offside and the goal is ruled out. Bournemouth are absolutely flying nonetheless.

04:16 PM GMT

GOAL! Outtarra doubles Bournemouth’s advantage

Bournemouth 2 Nottingham Forest 0 (Outtara) Bournemouth have doubled their lead and it’s Ouattara with an excellent looping header into the far corner following Kluivert’s cross.

Forest have an uphill task to get something out of this game and Liverpool’s afternoon gets better and better.

04:14 PM GMT

GOAL! Tonali extends Newcastle’s lead

Southampton 1 Newcastle United 3 (Tonali) Moments after they nearly conceded, Newcastle double their advantage through Tonali.

Isak drops into a pocket before finding Gordon. The winger’s first-time ball sends Tonali through on goal and he slots home.

04:11 PM GMT

All matches back underway

We are now underway for the second halves in all five of this afternoon’s 3pm kick-offs. Can Arsenal and Nottingham Forest react to their first-half setbacks to prevent Liverpool extending their lead at the top of the league?

04:09 PM GMT

Lewis-Skelly’s red card challenge

04:08 PM GMT

Getting back underway

We are back underway at the Vitality and St Mary’s for the second halves. The other games will shortly follow.

04:07 PM GMT

Frustration for Arsenal

This red card incident is going to be a topic of discussion for days.

You also have to wonder what effect it might have on Arsenal’s title bid.

Remember, Arsenal fans were already fuming with Michael Oliver’s appointment after a controversial game with Wolves in 2022.

Their frustration with referees is already high, with Declan Rice’s controversial red card against Brighton in September still fresh in their minds.

Mikel Arteta is going to be box office after the match, you imagine.

04:05 PM GMT

Controversy at Molineux

04:02 PM GMT

Can Arsenal respond?

Arsenal have had four players sent off in the Premier League this season, which is more than any other team.

On those occasions, against Brighton, Manchester City and Bournemouth, they failed to pick up the three points.

With Liverpool cruising at Anfield, Mikel Arteta will be desperate for a different outcome this afternoon.

03:59 PM GMT

Routine afternoon for Slot’s side

Liverpool ruthless, Ipswich hopeless.

03:54 PM GMT

Half-times around the grounds

As the half-time whistles are blown around the grounds, here are the latest scores:

• Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest

• Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Everton

• Liverpool 3-0 Ipswich Town

• Southampton 1-2 Newcastle United

• Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Arsenal

03:50 PM GMT

Question of how many for Liverpool

This has become a question of how many do Liverpool want to score today. OPTA will verify but it will be a surprise if Ipswich have touched the ball more than once in the Liverpool penalty area. It is as one-sided a Premier League half you will see. The recent FA Cup tie with Accrington Stanley was more competitive.

03:49 PM GMT

GOAL! Gakpo adds a third for Liverpool

Liverpool 3 Ipswich Town 0 (Gakpo) Gravenberch expertly picks out Szoboszlai and while the midfielder is denied by Walton, the ball drops to Gakpo who can bundle home to round off a comfortable half for the hosts.

03:47 PM GMT

‘Bizarre’ from Oliver

Wow. Amazing red card decision here from referee Michael Oliver, who has just sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly for fouling Matt Doherty.

It appeared an obvious yellow, with Lewis-Skelly fouling Doherty as he broke clear of the Wolves penalty area but he was about 70 yards from Arsenal’s goal.

Utterly bizarre as there did appear Arsenal players were in close proximity.

Oliver is supposed to be one of our best officials, too.

03:46 PM GMT

RED CARD! Lewis-Skelly sent off

Lewis-Skelly trips Doherty with Wolves looking to counter and he sees red! It’s 70 yards from goal so can’t be for the denying of a goalscoring chance.

Replays show it was a slightly rash challenge and there is confirmation it was for serious foul play but it still seems rather harsh.

03:42 PM GMT

GOAL! Ndiaye dispatches penalty to give Everton the lead

Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Everton 1 (Ndiaye) Following the handball from Veltman, Ndiaye steps up and he converts into the bottom corner with an excellent spot kick. David Moyes’ return to Goodison continues to be an inspired one.

03:40 PM GMT

Penalty for Everton! Veltman penalised after VAR check

There are appeals for a penalty from Everton as Veltman looks to shepherd the ball out but as he feels over the ball strikes his hand.

There is a VAR check and the referee awards the penalty after going to the screen!

03:39 PM GMT

Salah goes clear of Henry in scoring charts

Salah has been sending Ipswich left back Leif Davis dizzy. Now the Egyptian has his goal and has gone above Thierry Henry in the Premier League goal charts. He’ll fancy a few more today.

03:38 PM GMT

37 mins: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Arsenal 0

Wolves’ Joao Gomes is booked for kicking the ball away. The home side are then adamant that Myles Lewis-Skelly should be booked for stopping a free-kick but he avoids the yellow.

03:36 PM GMT

GOAL! Salah double’s Liverpool’s lead

Liverpool 2 Ipswich Town 0 (Salah) Gakpo is found at the back post and cuts in onto his right foot before delivering a ball into the box.

The cross goes over the head of Szoboszlai but lands at the feet of Salah who can finish to double his side’s lead. That is his 100th Premier League goal at Anfield.

03:33 PM GMT

GOAL! Isak scores his second to give Newcastle the lead

Southampton 1 Newcastle United 2 (Isak) It’s that man again just four minutes after his first!

It’s excellent work from Jacob Murphy who drops deep before picking out Alexander Isak with a great through-ball. The forward opens his body to stroke home past McCarthy and give his side the lead.

03:29 PM GMT

28 mins: Bournemouth 1 Nottingham Forest 0

Matt Sels continues his excellent form as he gets down well to deny Dango Ouattara and keep his side’s deficit at just one.

03:28 PM GMT

Nasty injury for Burns as Liverpool dominate

Liverpool’s midfield trio are running the game, all of them willing to venture upfield and take up that position ‘in the hole’ in front of Ipswich’s defence. That’s what led to the opening goal. Poor Kalvin Phillips is being overrun.

To make matters worse for the visitors, winger Wes Burns looks like he has picked up a nasty injury. His knee buckled after a challenge on Gakpo and he is about to be carried off. Lengthy delay.

03:27 PM GMT

Positive from Cunha

No problems with the body language of Matheus Cunha here, after Vitor Pereira’s blast on Monday night.

Cunha is not a traditional centre-forward and sometimes drops so deep he can almost be playing in midfield.

It is that freedom which presents problems to defences and Wolves are happy to let him pull the strings.

Meanwhile, there have been detrimental chants again from the Wolves fans against chairman Jeff Shi.

“Back the team and sell the club” has also got an airing.

03:25 PM GMT

GOAL! Isak converts from the spot

Southampton 1 Newcastle United 1 (Isak) After being fouled, it is Isak who steps up from the spot and he converts for his 16th Premier League goal of the season as McCarthy dives the wrong way.

03:24 PM GMT

Penalty given! Isak wins spot kick

There is a check from the video assistant referee at St Mary’s for a challenge on Alexander Isak by Joe Aribo. The referee is told to go to the screen to check the decision and Newcastle do have the spot kick!

Mateus Fernandes had picked up a yellow card moments before for a foul on Tino Livramento.

03:21 PM GMT

20 mins: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Arsenal 0

Arsenal have a good chance as Trossard delivers an inswinging ball from the left towards Havertz but he can’t get enough on his header which goes just wide of the post.

03:18 PM GMT

Slow start from Arsenal

Slow start by Arsenal so far, and Mikel Arteta has been up and at his players a few times already.

Wolves’ defence and goalkeeper Jose Sa do appear a little nervy but have been untested so far.

It will be interesting to see how Arsenal cope today without the creativity of Martin Odegaard.

03:15 PM GMT

Beautiful finish from Szoboszlai

The first ten minutes were played entirely in Ipswich’s half. Gakpo had the first shot after 51 seconds. It took time to get the first but when it came - beautifully finished by Szoboszlai - it already had an air of inevitability. It sounds like an understatement to say this is going to be a tough afternoon for the Tractor Boys.

03:14 PM GMT

GOAL! Szobszlai gives Liverpool the early lead

Liverpool 1 Ipswich Town 0 (Szoboszlai) Konate picks out Szoboszlai with a great ball and the midfielder looks like he might feed Salah but instead shifts it onto his left foot and finds the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

03:13 PM GMT

GOAL! Southampton stun Newcastle

Southampton 1 Newcastle United 0 (Bednarek) In their first attack of the game, Southampton have their goal!

Walker-Peters and Bree combine down the right before the latter swings a ball in that finds Bednarek at the back post and the defenders nods superbly back across goal to give the hosts the lead.

03:11 PM GMT

GOAL! Kluivert opens the scoring for Bournemouth

Bournemouth 1 Nottingham Forest 0 (Kluivert) Adams plays it through to Kluivert in the centre circle and the Dutchman can turn and drive and the Forest defence.

The visitors continue to back off giving Kluivert the time to take aim and he fires into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. He is on fire after his hat-trick last weekend!

03:07 PM GMT

6 mins: Southampton 0 Newcastle 0

Eddie Howe will be pleased to see his side start strongly after their heavy defeat last week. The first real effort of the game comes from Joelinton but he fires over.

03:06 PM GMT

4 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Everton 0

It’s the Premier League’s youngest manager (Hurzeler, 31) against the oldest (Moyes, 61) at the Amex.

The home side have started on the front foot. Lamptey has the ball in a promising position following a long diagonal but his cross fails to pick out a blue and white shirt.

03:04 PM GMT

3 mins: Liverpool 0 Ipswich Town 0

Cody Gakpo has the first effort of the match at Anfield but he fires over after being found by Andy Robertson.

03:03 PM GMT

2 mins: Bournemouth 0 Nottingham Forest 0

There is an early chance for the visitors as Chris Wood holds the ball up and brings Anthony Elanga into play but after beating his man, the winger fails to hit the target from a tight angle.

03:00 PM GMT

3pm kick-offs underway

We are getting underway around the grounds for this afternoon’s 3pm kick-offs. We will bring you all of the latest updates here.

02:58 PM GMT

Lee Carsley in attendance at Molineux

Lee Carsley, the England under-21s manager, is in attendance at Molineux for a scouting trip this afternoon.

Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are the two players likely to be in his sights.

Lewis-Skelly has been a revelation this season and could even have an outside chance of making the senior England squad if he can maintain his level of performance.

Nwaneri comes in for the injured Martin Odegaard.

02:56 PM GMT

Would could happen this afternoon?

Liverpool could extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points if they beat Ipswich this afternoon.

However, defeat would present the chance for both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest to go within just three points.

Newcastle could break into the top four should they beat Southampton while Bournemouth could go level with Chelsea, who are currently fourth, with three points against Forest.

Wolves and Ipswich will be looking to finish the day outside the relegation zone and will do so if they can better the other’s result.

02:51 PM GMT

Ramsdale out with ‘small injury’, says Juric

Aaron Ramsdale misses out this afternoon for Southampton. Manager Ivan Juric has said: “He has a small injury, a small muscle injury. He is not fit to play.”

Discussing Paul Onuachu’s start, he said: “He is training well and has lot of energy. He has been really good this week.”

Looking ahead to today’s opponents, he said: “They are a great team, great players. They have had lots of great results. I know it will be a tough game but we are ready.”

02:49 PM GMT

Howe ‘backs team to respond’

Newcastle are looking to bounce back from their 4-1 at home to Bournemouth last weekend as they take on struggling Southampton.

Manager Eddie Howe has told BBC Sport: “The group has done really well in recent weeks. I think in the sense of the team selection you look at it and judge players in training based on the last game. I back the team to respond today.

“Their upturn in performances has been really good and they have been close to getting big results. This will be a very tough game and we have to ensure our mentality is at the highest level.”

02:47 PM GMT

Major landmark for Moyes

Everton manager David Moyes will take charge of his 700th Premier League game this afternoon as his side take on Brighton.

The Scot, who has also managed West Ham United, Manchester United and Sunderland, will become only the third manager to reach the landmark after Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Moyes said: “It’s incredible really. When you start out, I don’t think you ever believe you will become a Premier League manager but to get 700 games behind me is a fair achievement, I am very pleased.

“There’s two great managers ahead of me in Arsene and Alex. I don’t think I’ll be making their numbers, that’s for sure.”

02:43 PM GMT

All eyes on Cunha

Matheus Cunha has been Wolves’ player of the season so far and his presence today represents an intriguing subplot.

Cunha has emerged as a target for Arsenal ahead of the transfer deadline and there was friction earlier this week when head coach Vitor Pereira criticised his body language during the defeat at Chelsea.

Wolves, for their part, are totally relaxed about Cunha’s future.

The Brazilian has two-and-a-half years left on his contract and their view is that he will not be sold in January.

Cunha did verbally agree to a new contract earlier this month, though he is yet to sign it.

Wolves insist those contract discussions were about rewarding Cunha for his form and contribution to the team, and have no bearing on his immediate future.

02:41 PM GMT

Milestone for Van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk is making his 300th Liverpool appearance today. Across the whole of his Premier League career  (including Southampton) he’s won 1,666 duels and 1,203 aerial battles.

He has never scored a Premier League own goal and only five errors have led to an opposition goal. It’s fair to say Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna will not be instructing his attackers to ‘target Van Dijk’.

02:38 PM GMT

Must-win for Arsenal

Wolves have lost their last seven Premier League games against Arsenal and have lost their last three Premier League games, conceding nine goals and scoring just one.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 games in the league but have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine league away games.

With Liverpool hosting Ipswich Town, you feel this is a must-win for Mikel Arteta’s men as they look to keep their hopes of a title-race alive.

02:34 PM GMT

In form forwards

Justin Kluivert’s second hat-trick of the campaign last weekend has seen him become the first Bournemouth player to reach 10 Premier League goals this season.

Meanwhile, Chris Wood is looking to score a fifth Premier League match on the spin. One more league goal would give him a career-best 15 for the campaign.

Alexander Isak is looking to become the first Newcastle player to score in five consecutive Premier League away appearances. The 25-year-old has scored 11 goals in his last nine league games.

Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah leads the Premier League’s scoring assisting charts with 18 goals this season having set up a further 13.

02:30 PM GMT

Newcastle look to return to form against struggling Southampton

Newcastle’s run of nine wins on the spin in all competitions came to an end with a 4-1 thumping at home against Bournemouth.

However, Eddie Howe’s men are firmly in contention for the top four having earned 18 points over their past eight matches in the league.

The visitors are looking for a seventh consecutive win over Southampton in all competitions.

Ivan Juric’s side have won just one of their last 35 Premier League games and are without a victory in their last 12.

02:25 PM GMT

Odds stacked against Ipswich at Anfield

Liverpool have reached 50 points in just 21 games - a feat they have only achieved twice before, in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns.

Arne Slot’s side are unbeaten in 17 top-flight matches with their only league defeat this season coming against Nottingham Forest in September.

Ipswich’s 6-0 defeat against Manchester City last weekend was their heaviest at home since losing by the same score to Liverpool in 2002.

Kieran McKenna’s men have lost seven of their past 10 league matches and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 18 top-flight games.

02:22 PM GMT

Little margin for error for Arsenal

Arsenal’s title bid remains alive but last weekend’s draw with Aston Villa underlines how there is little margin for error.

Six points behind league leaders Liverpool ahead of kick-off, Mikel Arteta sorely needs his team to secure a victory today and maintain the pressure.

The absences of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are huge, and the prospect of finishing second again for Arsenal is a nightmare.

Wolves have lost their last seven Premier League matches against Arsenal, but need a win for their own objective of avoiding relegation

02:21 PM GMT

First-choice selection for Slot

Arne Slot has the luxury of picking his first choice starting XI again as he endeavours to knock the ‘boring Liverpool’ narrative into touch before it gathers any momentum.

It’s a pretty lame argument as it stands.

Liverpool go into today’s fixture as the Premier League top goalscorers (six more than the second most prolific sides Chelsea and Manchester City).

Slot’s side also have three more goals than Jurgen Klopp’s side managed after 21 games last season and exactly the same number of goals after 21 league games as Klopp’s champions of 2019/20.

Add into the mix that Liverpool have enjoyed 60 shots in their last two away matches against Nottingham Forest and Brentford and you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to suggest there has been a lack of entertainment, albeit (as Arne’s dad suggested) the midweek win over Lille was not the most thrilling.

Not even Ed Sheeran will be fancying Ipswich’s chances today, although it is worth remembering how hard they made Slot’s side work on the opening day of the season.

02:19 PM GMT

Brighton and Everton looking to build on promising signs

Brighton are looking to complete the league double over Everton for the first time.

They have registered three successive wins in all competitions for the first time since the start of the season and are looking to win three successive top-flight games for the first time in 15 months.

Everton’s win over Tottenham last weekend was their first league victory in the month of January for four years.

It saw them score two goals from open play for the first time in a Premier League game since April while Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended a run of 16 league matches without a goal.

02:15 PM GMT

Arne Slot holds Jurgen Klopp talks in bid to boost Liverpool’s Quadruple bid

Among Arne Slot’s many chats with predecessor Jurgen Klopp, there is one topic more pertinent than others: “What went wrong for Liverpool at the end of last season?”

After 21 games of Klopp’s last dance at Anfield, Liverpool were five points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal.

They finished nine behind the eventual champions and seven behind Mikel Arteta’s side as Klopp’s farewell spluttered to an end.

With 17 of their league fixtures remaining, Liverpool’s lead is six points over second-placed Arsenal.

“I didn’t know about the five points at this stage, but I knew they were better in the first half of the season than the second half,” said Slot.

“So you do talk, not now but in the first half of the season, what are your thoughts on why this has happened? Even the first time or second time I spoke to Jurgen, we spoke about what his opinion was as to why they dipped a bit in the end. I don’t think you can compare this season with last season, although there are certain things we have tried to implement already. You are going to ask me what, but I am not going to give you an answer.

“But you know better than me if you can compare last season with this season. I have said this season every single point we had we deserved, and if that was the situation last season as well, well, then being five points (and not winning the title) is a disappointment.

“But if in the first half of the season there were a few times when it was like, ‘oh, they were a bit lucky over here’ then it is not a surprise that in the second half of the season things change.

“That is not to say things cannot change now because we have to keep on doing the things we do, we must not get injuries and all these kinds of things. All the players are important but there are a few who are a bit more important than others.”

As well as the experience of the players, the tactical tweaks and the generally less ‘full throttle’ approach in 90 minute games - Slot’s Liverpool move through the gears more often than Klopp’s - the biggest change this season is the absence of the biggest threat.

“I am happy it is not five (points) between us and (Manchester) City if I saw them playing last week,” said Slot.

“They were five points behind (last season) and incredible in the second half of the season. It is difficult to compare seasons.”

02:12 PM GMT

Nwaneri returns

Martin Odegaard’s absence presents the chance for Ethan Nwaneri to start on the right side of Arsenal’s midfield three.

The youngster gave his side the lead in his last league outing against Brighton at the start of the month before being forced off with an injury. Can he pick up where he left off upon his return to the top-flight?

02:09 PM GMT

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest: Two sides in great form

Bournemouth are unbeaten in their past nine league meetings with Nottingham Forest having won on five occasions in that time.

Both sides are in impressive form coming into this one though. Andoni Iraola’s men are unbeaten in a club record 10 Premier League matches while Forest have won seven of their past eight league games, earning an unrivalled 22 points in that period.

The visitors are looking to cement their place in the top four, while Bournemouth could go level on points with Chelsea in fourth with three points today.

02:03 PM GMT

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal team news

Martin Odegaard doesn’t the make the squad for Arsenal’s visit to Wolves through illness as the home side remain unchanged from their defeat against Chelsea on Monday.

02:01 PM GMT

Southampton vs Newcastle United team news

Eddie Howe makes one change to the Newcastle team that were thrashed at home against Bournemouth as Fabian Schar replaces Sven Botman.

01:58 PM GMT

Liverpool vs Ipswich Town

Cody Gakpo and Trent Alexander-Arnold are among the players to return to Liverpool’s side following their midweek victory over Lille as they continued their perfect Champions League campaign.

01:55 PM GMT

Brighton and Hove Albion vs Everton team news

As David Moyes takes charge of his first away game since returning to Everton with his team taking on Brighton, here’s how the two sides set up this afternoon.

01:52 PM GMT

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest team news

Bournemouth are unchanged from their 4-1 win over Newcastle for the visit of Nottingham Forest, who are without Callum Hudson-Odoi through injury.

01:50 PM GMT

Later on today

There will be further implications on the race for the top four later on today as Manchester City host Chelsea at 5:30pm.

Pep Guardiola’s side have shown signs of improvement with a 6-0 win over Ipswich Town in their last Premier League outing, but having surrendered two-goal leads against PSG and Brentford in games either side of the win at Portman Road, there is still evidence of vulnerability.

Chelsea ended a run of five games in the league without a win with victory over Wolves on Monday and they will hope today to end a 10-game winless run against City.

01:47 PM GMT

This afternoon’s 3pm kick-offs

• Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest

• Brighton and Hove Albion vs Everton

• Liverpool vs Ipswich Town

• Southampton vs Newcastle United

• Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal

01:45 PM GMT

Preview: Important afternoon in race for title, top four and safety

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s minute-by-minute Premier League clockwatch for a pivotal afternoon at both ends of the division, with the top three, and four of the bottom five all in action. Leaders Liverpool host Ipswich Town at Anfield as they look to assert their position at the summit and extend their unbeaten run in the league to 18 games.

Six points adrift of Arne Slot’s men are Arsenal, who are unbeaten in 12 in the league, and Nottingham Forest, who are undefeated in eight. Both are on the road this afternoon with Mikel Arteta’s side travelling to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers while high-flying Forest face Bournemouth, who could go level on points with Chelsea in fourth with three points this afternoon.

The South-Coast side made it 10 games unbeaten in the league as they ended Newcastle United’s nine-match winning run in all competitions with an emphatic 4-1 thumping at St James’ Park last weekend. But Eddie Howe’s men could return to the top four this afternoon with victory away at Southampton, who are at the foot of the table without a win in 12 league games. Ivan Juric’s men are desperate for points, currently 10 points adrift of Wolves in 17th.

Vitor Pereira’s side, however, only evade the relegation zone on goal difference, with Ipswich level on 16 points. Signs are ominous for the two teams this afternoon though as they take on the league’s top two, with Kieran McKenna’s men having conceded eight goals in their last two games without reply while Wolves have shipped three in each of their last three in the league.

The pair are four points adrift of Everton, who have a game in hand and will be hoping to build on their 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in David Moyes’ first match in charge since returning to Goodison Park, as they travel to take on Brighton and Hove Albion. Fabian Hurzeler’s men have proven a tough nut to crack however, with recent triumphs over Manchester United and Ipswich extending their unbeaten run in the league to six.