Gravenberch benefiting from transfer decision

Had matters gone according to plan, Liverpool’s opening game of the season at Ipswich Town in August would have been the first sighting of new signing Martin Zubimendi. But after the Spaniard U-turned on the proposed transfer, Ryan Gravenberch was compelled to continue in the defensive midfield role.

The Dutchman has been there ever since, swiftly becoming an integral part of Arne Slot’s evolving side in a position in which few would have considered he would excel given the evidence of a fitful debut Reds campaign.

While his fellow midfielders have been rotated, rested and renewed, Gravenberch has now started all 22 Premier League games, with his breathers largely coming in the domestic cup competitions.

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If that has understandably led to some fears of burnout after some recent relatively quiet showings, here the 22-year-old was outstanding in an engine room where the classy Alexis Mac Allister and energetic Dominik Szoboszlai both also excelled.

Gravenberch was everywhere, breaking up attacks with his innate sense of anticipating danger while clever footwork saw him dance out of some tight positions. And his ability to play probing passes was evidenced by his ball to initiate the third goal.

Cue a chant from the Kop saluting the midfielder and a standing ovation on his second-half substitution. Zubimendi’s change of heart has accelerated Gravenberch’s progress.

Konate responds to Slot

So continues the happy knack of Arne Slot being able to prompt an immediate reaction from his players. Ahead of the game, the Liverpool boss had hailed Ibrahima Konate’s defensive traits while urging the centre-back to continue improving his ability on the ball.

It took barely 10 minutes for Konate to show he had been listening when sliding a 35-yard pass through the Ipswich lines to release Dominik Szoboszlai into space to score the opener.

Given Liverpool’s recent difficulties at working their way through overly-defensive opposition, it’s a quality that will increasingly be required.

Alongside Konate, skipper Virgil van Dijk overcame an early knock and the threat of Liam Delap to enjoy an otherwise incident-free 300th appearance for Liverpool, while the Reds’ dominance allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold to demonstrate his creative wares with a fine cross that invited Gakpo to score the fourth.

On the other flank, Andy Robertson, recalled to the starting line-up, staked his claim in the ongoing scrap with Kostas Tsimikas with a steady showing.

And the only blemish for a largely underemployed rearguard was Ipswich’s late consolation, the first time this season Liverpool have conceded from a corner.

Salah shows intent

There may be doubt over where Mohamed Salah will be next season. But it’s clear the Liverpool striker wants to end this campaign on the rostrum with a Premier League winners’ medal around his neck.

The goals and assists will always command the headlines but what impressed here was Salah’s work-rate best encapsulated on 65 minutes when, having lost the ball on the right flank to new Ipswich signing Jaden Philogene, the Egyptian raced back and regained possession to initiate a move that ended with Liverpool’s fourth goal.

Salah had already contributed in more traditional fashion with his 23rd goal of the season – all but four in the Premier League – when scoring from an acute angle first half. It was his 100th top-flight goal at Anfield for Liverpool.

There was one other landmark on the afternoon, with the attendance of 60,420 the highest home crowd for a league match in Liverpool’s history.

Next up in the Premier League is a trip to in-form Bournemouth on Saturday. With Arsenal facing Manchester City the following day, it is likely to be a pivotal weekend in the title race. And Salah remains in the mood.