IPSWICH TOWN VS. LIVERPOOL
| Friday, September 4th |
Premier League | Anfield
8PM BST/3PM EST
Ipswich have had a decent start to the season, beating last season’s promoted darlings Sunderland on the opening day before progressing in the League Cup against Leicester. On match day two they lost 5-2 to Manchester United, though it’s worth noting that the scoreline obscures the facts of the game: though Manchester United “deserved” their goals in terms of stats and the eye test, the goals themselves were the result of individual
error and a sprialling game in result rather than any inherent weaknesses on the side of Ipswich. This one got out of hand more than anything: it was 1-1 with the Tractor Boys opening the scoring at Old Trafford and the feeling in general being that United were lucky to have parity and were saved embarrassment by Bruno Fernandes. The second half was a different story, and felt a bit like a comedy of errors as a series of unfortunate events led to a ridiculous own goal that escalated, a minute later, into a daft penalty conceded by the author of the own goal, Jacob Greaves. United’s fourth goal was also a bit silly as there was massive confusion in the Ipswich box, while the fifth was a chip over the approaching goalkeeper from distance that clipped in off the bar.
This is not to say that Ipswich didn’t deserve to lose against Manchester United, but rather to emphasize that the disaster levels might not reflect team weaknesses and instead might be contained to one very unlucky day. Ipswich are therefore a side that can be forced into mistakes, apparently, but they’re playing a team in Liverpool that have been willing to make mistakes this season as well.
The Tractor Boys will be without Azor Matusiwa, Jaden Philogene and Jack Taylor for this match, but will hope to have opening-day scorer Emersonn back after the forward came off with a knee issue against Manchester United. Ipswich signed 14 players this summer, so it’s hard to get a full understanding of them based off tape from the Championship last season. They also have a late addition in attack in Zian Flemming from Burnley, who could cause Liverpool problems should he be ready to feature, as could Julio Enciso.
Ipswich will come into this knowing that Liverpool can and will concede this season, and will want to follow the blueprint of the teams that have had the Reds chasing games this season. The 2-1 win against Sunderland is therefore more instructive than any dismissive glances at the scoreline last time out: this is a side who are capable of exciting, attacking football, and they will not be afraid of this Liverpool side.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Muñoz; Isak
Bradley Barcola could make his first appearance for the Reds in this one after signing at the end of the transfer window, but that he’s not played since France’s final World Cup game might suggest his match fitness is limited. Joe Gomez is not yet fit enough to feature, while Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined as well.
Dominik Szoboszlai should make his 150th appearance for Liverpool on Friday, though whether he features in midfield or as a makeshift right back is unclear. Should he play on the right, it’s worth noting that the personnel in the middle of the pitch will be limited from off the bench, as presumably Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Florian Wirtz would start with young Trey Nyoni and Wataru Endō then the only midfielders on the bench. The dearth of options there feels by design, as Liverpool did not seek to sign more midfielders, and indeed let Curtis Jones depart for Inter Milan.
Alexander Isak will likely start at the center of the attack, with decisions to be made around how and where to use Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, and Víctor Muñoz. Gakpo seemed much more comfortable on the right than Ngumoha did, and Muñoz has looked brilliant in every one of his outings. There’s flexibility in attack, therefore, and Barcola can be expected to get some minutes as he integrates into Liverpool and to general fitness.
The defensive five will likely be unchanged bar the open question of the right back: there has been no news of an injury for Jeremie Frimpong, but the Dutch defender has had some weaknesses on display in the opening two matches. Andoni Iraola might ask Szoboszlai to play there to help the squad, and could also ask on-loan Ronald Arújo to fill in there. Ipswich is a newly promoted side, but one that has scored seven goals already this season.
It goes without saying that Liverpool really need a win, but more than anything the Reds could do with not chasing a game — and ideally also not chasing a game due to self-inflicted wounds. Liverpool didn’t lose against any of the newly promoted sides last season, but they only won two of the six games and drew the other four. This particular struggle should be the first fix for Andoni Iraola’s new-look Liverpool side.
The Managers Have Their Say
Andoni Iraola: “I think Ipswich has started well in terms of they won the first game at home and even the other day, you look at the result you can think, ‘OK, they were far from [Manchester] United’, but I think the first half probably they were the better team until United scored the 2-1 and the game went more open and they had to risk a little bit more. I think they were playing really well, so we have to be very ready and give our best to win our first game.”
Gary O’Neill: “It will be a test for us. They could easily have taken the full six points so far. They will be fired up. But, we have belief, we’re ready to go again. We’ve reset, had a great week training, and we are ready. There is a fantastic energy in the group We can perform in a way that always gives us a real chance. I fully expect us to leave the stadium tomorrow night with more points than when we started.”
The Officials
Referee: Darren England Assistants: Richard West, Adrian Holmes Fourth Official: Lewis Smith VAR: Nick Hopton Assistant VAR: Gary Beswick
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