Liverpool are still searching for their first Premier League home win of 2025 as they prepare to face relegation-threatened Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.
Arne Slot’s side returns to domestic action after securing their place in the Champions League knockout stages, while Ipswich are coming off a heavy defeat, having lost 6-0 to Manchester City.
Liverpool’s European campaign remains perfect after a narrow win over Lille at Anfield on Tuesday, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott helping them see off the Ligue 1 champions. That victory means they’ve won all six of their Champions League matches under Slot, and a point against PSV Eindhoven next week will secure them top spot in their group.
Domestically, Liverpool's form remains strong, sitting six points clear at the top of the Premier League after a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford last weekend. Darwin Núñez was the hero, scoring twice late on to give Liverpool their first Premier League victory of the year and extend their unbeaten league run to 17 matches.
Since their surprise home loss to Nottingham Forest in mid-September, Liverpool have been on fire at Anfield, scoring at least twice in their last 14 home games across all competitions. The signs point to that run continuing against Ipswich.
Ipswich, meanwhile, are reeling after two heavy defeats at home, losing 2-0 to Brighton and then 6-0 to Manchester City. Those results have seen them slip back into the relegation zone, though they're only just below 17th-place Wolverhampton Wanderers on goal difference.
Despite their struggles at Portman Road, Ipswich have managed to pick up more than half of their points away from home this season—only Crystal Palace have earned a higher percentage of their points on the road.
Interestingly, Anfield was the site of Ipswich's most recent win over Liverpool, a 1-0 triumph in December 2000. However, Liverpool have won the last four encounters, including a 2-0 victory at Portman Road earlier this season.
INJUREIS & SUSPENSION
Both Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch were substituted at halftime during Liverpool's win over Lille. While Gravenberch’s substitution was simply to give him a rest, Jones had picked up a minor injury, which forced him off the pitch.
Jones has been ruled out of this weekend’s game, but Alexis Mac Allister is expected to step back into midfield. Liverpool will also be without Diogo Jota (muscle injury) and Joe Gomez (hamstring) for Saturday’s match.
After making some changes in midweek, Slot will likely field a refreshed starting XI. This could mean a return for Cody Gakpo, who has the chance to become only the third Dutch player to score in five consecutive Premier League home games, joining the ranks of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie.
Meanwhile, Ipswich will be welcoming back Kalvin Phillips, who was ineligible to face his parent club, Manchester City, last weekend. Phillips is expected to replace Sam Morsy in midfield.
The Tractor Boys’ injury list has cleared up recently with Axel Tuanzebe and George Hirst returning to action, though Sammie Szmodics (ankle), Conor Chaplin (knee), and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) are still sidelined. Jacob Greaves and Luke Woolfenden were also unavailable for their last match, though the reasons remain unclear.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna made a tactical shift against Manchester City, moving to a 5-4-1 formation by sacrificing an attacker for an extra defender. However, that strategy was torn apart by City, so McKenna may revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, even against another tough opponent.
Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Julio Enciso could benefit from this change, though it’s unlikely he’ll be in the starting lineup just yet. His arrival was confirmed on Thursday, and he’ll need time to settle in.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Chiesa; Gakpo
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Walton; Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Johnson, Hutchinson, Philogene; Delap
EXPERT PREDICTION
Liverpool 3-0 Ipswich Town
Ipswich have been tough to break down away from home lately – just ask Arsenal or Tottenham – but their heavy defeat to Manchester City, despite setting up with a defense-first approach, was concerning.
While Ipswich may have fresher legs, it’s hard to see anything other than a dominant performance from Slot’s Liverpool as they continue their march towards Premier League dominance.
