Ipswich is making their long-awaited return to the Premier League, while Liverpool embarks on a new chapter under their new manager, Arne Slot. One can only wonder what’s going through Jurgen Klopp’s mind as Liverpool takes the first early kickoff of the season—a slot he often criticized. This time, however, Klopp can sit back and enjoy the game as a fan while Slot takes charge.
It’s been almost seven months since Klopp surprised everyone by announcing that the 2023-24 season would be his last at Anfield. He left with another EFL Cup winners' medal, but a Premier League title eluded him. Now, Arne Slot—who Tottenham Hotspur unsuccessfully tried to hire in 2023—will lead Liverpool back to the Champions League, albeit in its revamped format.
The team showed promise during pre-season, despite an early 1-0 loss to Preston North End, by winning four consecutive games against top-tier teams like Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Sevilla, before a goalless draw with Las Palmas at an empty Anfield.
While Slot has made a strong start this summer, Liverpool’s transfer activity has been less impressive, with fans still waiting for new signings as the club focuses on securing contracts for key players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. In contrast, Ipswich has seen plenty of new faces after earning their second straight promotion, narrowly missing out on Championship glory to Leicester City last season.
Finishing second was enough to bring Ipswich back to the Premier League after 22 years, following their relegation in the 2001-02 season. Head coach Kieran McKenna’s impressive work has reportedly caught the attention of Premier League giants like Chelsea and Manchester United, but the 38-year-old chose to stay and sign a new contract with Ipswich.
Like Liverpool, Ipswich had a positive pre-season, with McKenna leading them to three 1-0 victories against Shakhtar Donetsk, Hoffenheim, and Nice. Their only setback was a 2-1 loss to Fortuna Dusseldorf. Despite low-scoring summer games, Ipswich has been prolific under McKenna, scoring 222 goals since he took charge in December 2021, the second-highest in England’s top four divisions, only behind Manchester City’s 239.
However, their last encounters with Liverpool in the 2001-02 Premier League season were ones to forget, with Ipswich conceding 11 goals across two matches, including a 6-0 drubbing at Portman Road.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Liverpool were initially set to head to Ipswich with only one injury concern—teenage midfielder Bobby Clark, who’s dealing with a back issue. However, it now looks like Clark might be on his way to Pep Lijnders's Red Bull Salzburg in a £10 million deal.This means Arne Slot should have a fully fit squad for his Premier League debut. Andrew Robertson, who recovered from his Euro 2024 injury, played 60 minutes in the draw against Las Palmas and should be ready to cover the left flank. Meanwhile, Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold are expected to start, despite ongoing contract talks. There are rumors, though, that Slot might not be fully convinced by Ibrahima Konaté, who played in the Las Palmas friendly while Jarell Quansah started against Sevilla.
Ipswich, on the other hand, is dealing with a few injury issues. Harry Clarke (Achilles), George Hirst (knee), Nathan Broadhead (thigh), and Janoi Donacien (adductor) are all in recovery, while Cameron Humphreys is a major doubt due to an unspecified injury.
This summer, Ipswich has made 11 permanent signings, with several likely to start, including Arijanet Muric, Liam Delap, Jacob Greaves, and former Arsenal and Chelsea youngster Omari Hutchinson. The Tractor Boys also secured Sammie Szmodics on a permanent deal and brought in Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City on Friday, but it’s unclear if they were registered in time to feature this weekend.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:Muric; Tuanzebe, Edmundson, Greaves; Johnson, Luongo, Morsy, Davis; Hutchinson, Delap, Harness
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz
EXPERT PREDICTION
Ipswich 1-3 Liverpool
Ipswich might keep the game close, especially given their solid defensive performances in pre-season, but it's hard to see anything other than Liverpool heading back north with their first three points under Slot.
