Ipswich Town were comfortably beaten by Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield, losing 4-1.

A brace from Cody Gakpo, coupled with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah, saw the Reds continue their impressive run of form as the Blues were put to the sword on Merseyside, with Jacob Greaves' late goal ending up as a consolation.

For Ipswich, the priority had to be to avoid conceding an early goal, although it didn’t help them against Manchester City last weekend. Gakpo had an early sight of goal, but he fired well over the bar from distance.

Dominik Szoboszlai handed Liverpool the lead early on (Image: PA)

While Town were able to get through the first few minutes unscathed, they did come unstuck with 11 on the clock. A pinpoint pass from Ibrahima Konate sent Szoboszlai on his way, with the Hungarian international given space to weave through the Blues’ defence before sliding a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area to put his side ahead.

Town didn’t have enough time on the ball to turn the momentum, although sharp work on the ball from Omari Hutchinson allowed him to send Wes Burns down the right, with the winger winning a corner off Andy Robertson before falling into the Kop.

Leif Davis’ delivery seemed to catch Alisson off guard, but the Reds were able to clear the danger before winning a free kick in the 19th minute.

Wes Burns was stretchered off with a knee injury (Image: PA)

Play was stopped in the 24th minute as Burns went down holding his knee, having seemingly caught his studs in the ground. He quickly received treatment and was comforted by team-mate Leif Davis, with a stretcher required to take him off the pitch as Ben Johnson was introduced.

Things went from bad to worse in the 35th minute as Cody Gakpo floated a ball into the box from the left flank. It was aimed at Szoboszlai, who jumped to reach it, but flew over him before landing at the feet of Salah, who rifled a shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.

Like last weekend’s defeat to Man City, things threatened to spiral out of control before the break. An excellent through ball from Ryan Gravenberch allowed Szoboszlai to take aim with a first-time effort inside the box, which Christian Walton pushed away. Gakpo was able to pick up the rebound, however, firing it into the net to make it 3-0 in the 44th minute.

Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo struck to make it 3-0 (Image: PA)

They came again in the fifth minute of seven added on at the end of the first half. A fizzing cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold almost found the head of Luis Diaz, but ended up flying out of play for a goal kick. Two minutes later, Szoboszlai curled an effort narrowly past Walton’s post.

Davis was surprisingly brought off at half time, with Conor Townsend coming on in his place. The former West Brom man was nutmegged by Salah 90 seconds into the second half as Szoboszlai came close to adding a fourth goal.

Town's first shot came on the hour-mark after a cross deflected behind for a corner. Townsend's delivery couldn't beat the first man, but the ball came out Hutchinson, who fired a shot straight into the gloves of Alisson from around 25 yards out.

Gakpo's excellent header made it 4-0 to the Reds (Image: PA)

Liverpool were clearly enjoying themselves, flicking the ball around with ease as they searched for a fourth goal. That came in the 66th minute as Alexander-Arnold curled a cross onto the head of Gakpo, who looped the ball over Walton to grab a brace.

Alexander-Arnold tried to grab a goal of his own in the 75th minute, firing narrowly wide from distance. He rattled the crossbar two minutes later after good work from Salah.

Substitute Julio Enciso found himself in hot water within seconds of coming on, catching Wataru Endo with a high boot and picking up a yellow card in 81st minute.

George Hirst came inches away from getting Ipswich on the scoresheet as he connected with Townsend's cross in the 85th minute, forcing Alisson into a smart save.

They did eventually find their goal, with Jacob Greaves breaking away from Harvey Elliot to head Enciso's corner into the net in the 90th minute, softening the scoreline in the North West.

Liverpool XI: 4-2-3-1: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch (Endo 68'), Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai (Elliott 68'), Gakpo (Nunez 68'); Diaz (Chiesa 86')

Town XI: 3-4-2-1: Walton; Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves; Burns (Johnson 29'), Morsy, Phillips, Davis (Townsend 46'); Hutchinson (Enciso 79'), Philogene (Broadhead 79'); Delap (Hirst 79')