Liverpool head to Portman Road on Friday evening still chasing their first Premier League victory under new head coach Andoni Iraola, having opened the campaign with back-to-back 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
The Basque manager, who arrived at Anfield after leaving Bournemouth to replace the departed Arne Slot, faces a tricky test against a newly promoted Ipswich Town side managed by former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil. Ipswich began their return to the top flight with a win over Sunderland but were beaten 5-2 by Manchester United in their last outing.
The headline team news centres on Bradley Barcola, Liverpool's marquee summer arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal reported at £123million. The French winger is in the matchday squad but starts on the bench, having played no minutes of pre-season football before joining the club. Iraola made only one change to his starting XI from the Forest draw, bringing in Ronald Araujo for his full debut in place of Jeremie Frimpong, who has struggled to hit top form early in the season. Liverpool lined up with Alisson in goal, a back four of Jacquet, Araujo, Van Dijk and Kerkez, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in midfield, and an attacking trio of Munoz, Wirtz and Gakpo supporting Isak.
O'Neil also made a single alteration for the hosts, handing a first Premier League start to World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios in midfield after his substitute debut at Old Trafford, with Marcelino Nunez dropping to the bench. Emersonn led the line for Ipswich, supported by Abdul Fatawu and Daizen Maeda, while Julio Enciso also featured in an attack that has shown promise despite the club's difficult recent history against Liverpool — the Tractor Boys have lost their last four meetings with the Merseyside club, conceding 17 goals and scoring just once across the 2001-02 and 2024-25 seasons. Liverpool have also never lost at Portman Road, going unbeaten in six previous away league visits there.
Speaking before kickoff, Iraola acknowledged the frustration of not yet securing a win. "Yes, definitely. When you don't win you are frustrated," he said. "That is part of the job. I think it's still two games, but I want to win. I need to win and we will go with this aim [at Ipswich]. I think these two game weeks for me are probably the most difficult ones in terms of the market [being] open, difficult situations, everything is like virtual. Now, honestly, I'm much more comfortable. Once the market is closed, we know who we are. I think we have a lot of talent in this group of players and now we have to perform."
The Liverpool boss also addressed reports linking Cody Gakpo with a move to Manchester City that ultimately did not materialise before the transfer deadline. "Cody's a very smart player. I think also my relationship with him has been very honest since the beginning. He has performed with us, I would say, very well in all the pre-season games, in all of the games," Iraola explained. "He scored the first day, assisted the next one. He was always aware of the situations in the market. We were constantly talking with each other. He's trained very well and I hope we keep him in the same level. I'm sure it's going to be like this. I think he's now in a good place physically, mentally, and I'm very happy to keep Cody because for me he's a very valuable player."
Separately, Liverpool confirmed the signing of 18-year-old French winger Djylian N'Guessan from St Etienne in a deal worth around €5million. The teenager, who has scored 11 goals in as many appearances for France's Under-17 side, is expected to officially join the club in January.
Elsewhere in the Premier League this weekend, Newcastle host Bournemouth, Brentford face Sunderland, and Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium among a full round of fixtures.
Based on reporting from Independent Football and Standard Sport.