PREMIERSHIP/IPSWICH - 0 LIVERPOOL - 6: Liverpool's defensive solidity gave them a platform to make it four wins out of four, while the six goals they put past in-form Ipswich were enough to lift them back to the top of the table. Abel Xavier can hardly believe his luck.
The Portuguese international slotted in at right-back, had an untroubled debut and even managed to get his name on the scoresheet, his first goal in England - and that after 48 games for Everton when he scarcely looked like scoring.
"I know my goal went in with the help of a deflection but I am definitely claiming it. I definitely want it because it's my first goal in England," Xavier said. "I'm delighted to be involved with such great players. When you make a pass, their movement is instinctive.
"When I played against them before, I thought they are great. But now I train with them every day, I can see even more things than before. They are tremendous. They have many years ahead of them to become a great partnership."
George Burley's Ipswich side may have won seven of their previous eight league games, but the manager admitted they were "fortunate to get away with 6-0".
At half-time they were only two down to goals from Xavier and Emile Heskey, latching on to a Steven Gerrard through-ball. Sami Hyypia headed the third, and from then on it was a case of damage limitation for the hosts.
Owen struck twice in quick succession before Heskey curled home the sixth to leave Burley admitting the second-half had been "men against boys".
So it is back to the drawing board for Ipswich, who sent their striker Marcus Stewart for an X-ray on his jaw, though Liverpool did not have it all their own way as their influential goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek suffered a groin strain and was replaced by Pegguy Arphexad after 55 minutes. He seems likely to miss out on Poland's midweek game with Northern Ireland, while Gerrard's "tightening" hamstring will probably force him to miss England's game in Holland.
It is safe to say that Liverpool's championship challenge is back on track, nevertheless, although one has to be careful about jumping to conclusions. The sages who predicted that Newcastle would not stay the course and that Manchester United had blown their championship chances before Christmas have spent much time scraping egg off their faces.
On this form Liverpool could sweep aside anyone, which is good news given the impending resumption of the Champions League. Ten unanswered goals in two away games will also do wonders for Gerard Houllier's convalescence.
Liverpool's biggest problem now will be keeping their feet on the ground.
IPSWICH: Marshall, Makin, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Venus, Holland, Clapham, Wright (Stewart 38), Peralta, Armstrong (Magilton 71), Marcus Bent. Subs Not Used: Salmon, Counago, Reuser.
LIVERPOOL: Dudek (Arphexad 55), Wright, Henchoz, Hyypia, Xavier, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard (McAllister 81), Riise (Anelka 73), Heskey, Owen. Subs Not Used: Smicer, Litmanen. Goals: Xavier 16, Heskey 43, Hyypia 52, Owen 62, 71, Heskey 90.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
