Ipswich Town vs Liverpool: Match Preview, Latest Team News and Score Prediction | OneFootball

Ipswich Town vs Liverpool: Team News, Prediction and Why Andoni Iraola Needs a First Win

Two league games in, the table already looks mildly absurd. Ipswich Town have a win. Liverpool do not. That is where this Friday night game at Portman Road starts, and there is no point dressing it up. One club arrived from the Championship with momentum and a bit of nerve. The other began a new era under Andoni Iraola with two draws, both of them salvage jobs.

Ipswich beat Sunderland 2-1 with a late punch, then handled Leicester 3-1 in the Carabao Cup. They also led at Old Trafford before reality hit and Manchester United pulled them apart in a 5-2 defeat. That tells you plenty. There is threat here, there is energy here, and there are still obvious flaws.

Liverpool have had their own warning signs. They fell behind 1-0 and 2-1 in both league matches. Dominik Szoboszlai rescued a point at Newcastle in stoppage time, then Victor Munoz smashed home late to secure another 2-2 draw. Two points from six is not a crisis in early September, but it is not what Iraola was hired for either.

Ipswich team news and likely shape

Gary O’Neil is expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 that worked against Sunderland. It makes sense. Ipswich are at their best when they play directly, attack second balls and commit numbers quickly around the box. Portman Road will expect that approach again.

The issue is up front. Emersson is the main doubt after jarring his knee and going off at half-time against Manchester United. If he misses out, Jack Clarke or Sindre Walle Egeli could come in. Zian Flemming is another option in attack, though a start looks unlikely after his late arrival from Burnley.

Jaden Philogene and Jack Taylor are unavailable, while Florentino Luis and Azor Matusiwa could make the squad if late checks go well. Ipswich have enough legs and enough aggression to ask Liverpool awkward questions, especially if the visitors continue to start slowly.

Liverpool selection calls for Iraola

The transfer window did not leave universal satisfaction, but Liverpool did land one genuine headline arrival in Bradley Barcola. Signed from PSG for major money, he has said he is ready, though a place on the bench feels more realistic given the lack of pre-season work.

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Elsewhere, continuity looks likely. Iraola may keep faith with the side that drew with Nottingham Forest, with Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz in the wide roles. Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister should start in midfield, which would probably leave Ryan Gravenberch among the substitutes again.

There is also a tactical question at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong has looked uneasy defensively and Iraola could consider moving Szoboszlai there, though that would remove drive from midfield. That is the trade-off. Liverpool need control, but they also need more edge in attacking transitions.

Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain out, while Joe Gomez is not yet ready to return.

Key battle at Portman Road

This game will turn on whether Liverpool can impose themselves early. Ipswich will fancy their chances if they can make it messy, physical and stretched. Liverpool have conceded first too often already, and that pattern invites pressure. If it happens again, Portman Road will smell blood.

There are reasons for Liverpool optimism. They created enough at Newcastle, posting 27 shots and 36 touches in the opposition box. That is serious volume. The finishing and the defensive concentration have been the problem, not a lack of threat.

Gakpo could be important again. He seemed likely to leave in the window before a move stalled, and since then he has responded properly. He scored at Newcastle and has looked sharp cutting in from the flank. Munoz, meanwhile, brings a cleaner final action than some expected.

For Ipswich, the broader concern is defensive reliability. Their recent top-flight record for clean sheets is poor, and that matters against a side who should create repeated chances if the midfield gets on the ball. Ipswich can hurt Liverpool, but keeping them out for 90 minutes looks a bigger ask.

Ipswich vs Liverpool prediction

There is enough evidence already to say this will not be straightforward for Liverpool. Ipswich have conviction, they have pace, and they will not be cowed by the occasion. Liverpool, though, have more quality, more depth and too much attacking talent to keep dropping points if the chance volume stays this high.

That is the blunt version. Ipswich will probably score because Liverpool have made a habit of sloppy starts. Liverpool should still win because Ipswich leave openings and do not defend consistently well enough at this level.

Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Friday, September 4.

Prediction: Ipswich Town 1-2 Liverpool.