Liverpool are preparing for a testing away trip to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road, with manager confirming a host of selection decisions ahead of the Premier League fixture on Friday, September 4, kicking off at 8pm BST.
According to the latest team news, a 24-year-old winger who has been tipped for a recall is not expected to start against the Tractor Boys, though he remains in contention to make an impact from the substitutes' bench. Should he not be handed a starting role, the head coach is likely to stick with the same wide options that featured in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest in their previous outing. That means Cody Gakpo, who stayed at Anfield this summer despite significant transfer interest from Manchester City, is set to continue operating from the right flank, while new signing Victor Munoz keeps his place on the left.
Munoz has quickly become a fan favourite following his dramatic introduction to Liverpool football. The recent arrival scored his first goal for the club, netting a crucial late equaliser in the draw against Newcastle on the opening weekend of the season. His impact off the bench in that fixture has strengthened his claim for continued involvement in the starting XI.
Elsewhere in the side, teenager Rio Ngumoha, who started in the season-opening draw with Newcastle, looks set to retain his spot following his match-saving contribution. In central midfield, competition remains fierce, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister both vying for the berth alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in what is expected to be a two-man pivot.
Injuries continue to bite for Liverpool, who are without three players for the long term. Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley are all sidelined and unavailable for selection at Portman Road. Andrew Robertson's absence has also been noted among the club's fitness concerns, alongside a doubt over the availability of Federico Chiesa.
At the back, Jeremy Jacquet is expected to continue his partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence, despite having been substituted in each of Liverpool's first two league matches this season. Fellow new centre-back signing Ronald Araujo has been the man introduced from the bench on both occasions, providing healthy competition for a starting berth. Jacquet, who joined the club in a pre-agreed £60million transfer from Rennes, endured a difficult end to his time in France due to a shoulder problem, and the issue flared up again during pre-season training, restricting his early involvement with his new teammates.
Based on the available information, Liverpool's predicted starting lineup follows a 4-2-3-1 formation: Alisson in goal; a back four of Frimpong, Van Dijk, Jacquet and Kerkez; Szoboszlai and Gravenberch paired in central midfield; an attacking trio of Gakpo, Wirtz and Munoz; with Isak leading the line as the focal point of the attack.
The match represents an important test for Liverpool as they look to build momentum in the early stages of the campaign, with the visit to Ipswich offering a chance to record their first league win of the season following back-to-back draws. Television coverage of the fixture will be provided by Sky Sports.
Based on reporting from standard-football.