Ipswich Town had beaten Liverpool twice at Portman Road during the 1974–75 season: first in the league, then in the FA Cup. Their visit to Anfield on 8 February brought a very different result. Liverpool won 5–2, with John Toshack scoring twice.
The cup defeat was only a fortnight old. Mick Mills's goal had ended Liverpool's defence of the trophy in the fourth round, and a subsequent 2–0 loss at Arsenal had left Bob Paisley's side needing a response in the league as well.
Liverpool started quickly. Brian Hall scored after six minutes from Kevin Keegan's assist; Toshack doubled the lead three minutes later. Kevin Beattie replied for Ipswich in the 26th minute, but Alec Lindsay restored the two-goal margin shortly before half-time.
Toshack's second arrived midway through the second half, with Steve Heighway providing the opening. Trevor Whymark reduced the deficit to 4–2 before Peter Cormack completed the scoring near the end.
Keegan had not scored, but his contribution went beyond the opening assist. The Liverpool Echo's contemporary assessment, preserved by LFChistory, highlighted his involvement in Toshack's first goal and in creating the opportunity for Cormack's fifth. It described a performance which renewed optimism about Liverpool's title prospects.
The two points left Liverpool fifth, one point behind Ipswich and two behind leaders Everton. They were still firmly involved in a closely contested championship, although this win would not produce an immediate run of victories: Newcastle beat them 4–1 four days later.
Ipswich's wider season also puts the result in perspective. Bobby Robson's team recovered to reach the FA Cup semi-finals and finished third in the league, level with second-placed Liverpool on 51 points and two behind champions Derby County.
At Anfield, Liverpool had at last overcome opponents who had twice kept them scoreless that season. The cup defeat could not be undone, but five goals and Toshack's double supplied a substantial league answer.