Portman Road will be the stage for two new chapters in English football as Ipswich Town and Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaigns on Saturday at 13:30 PM.
Ipswich returns to the top flight after a 22-year absence, while Liverpool embarks on a new journey under the guidance of Arne Slot, following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
Match Preview
As Liverpool steps into a new era without Jurgen Klopp, it’s Arne Slot’s turn to steer the ship. Klopp, who often expressed his displeasure with early kickoffs, will be a spectator this time, leaving Slot to rally the Reds in their opening match of the season.
Klopp’s surprise announcement that the 2023-24 season would be his last came as a shock to many. Despite adding another EFL Cup to his collection, a Premier League title eluded him. Slot, however, is determined to bring Liverpool back to the Champions League, albeit in its new format. Pre-season under Slot has shown promise, with victories against top teams like Arsenal and Manchester United, though a draw against Las Palmas highlighted the work still to be done.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town, under Kieran McKenna’s leadership, has rapidly risen through the ranks, achieving back-to-back promotions. Their second-place finish in the Championship last season secured their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2002. McKenna, who attracted interest from top Premier League clubs, chose to stay with Ipswich, committing to their project.
Like Liverpool, Ipswich had a solid pre-season, with wins against Shakhtar Donetsk, Hoffenheim, and Nice, although a defeat to Fortuna Dusseldorf served as a reminder of the challenges ahead. Despite these setbacks, Ipswich’s attacking prowess under McKenna is undeniable, with 222 goals scored since he took charge, second only to Manchester City.
However, Ipswich’s last encounters with Liverpool in the Premier League were forgettable, as they conceded 11 goals in two matches during the 2001-02 season, including a 6-0 thrashing at Portman Road.
Team News
Liverpool heads into the match with a mostly fit squad, barring Bobby Clark, who is expected to join Red Bull Salzburg. Andrew Robertson, having recovered from an injury sustained during Euro 2024, is set to start. Key players Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also expected to feature, although there are whispers that Slot may have reservations about Ibrahima Konate.
Ipswich, on the other hand, has a few injury concerns with Harry Clarke, George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead, and Janoi Donacien all working their way back to fitness. New signings like Arijanet Muric, Liam Delap, and Jacob Greaves are expected to make their debuts, while Kalvin Phillips could be a last-minute addition if his loan from Manchester City goes through.
Prediction
We say: Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool
Ipswich might adopt a more defensive approach to contain Liverpool, but the quality of the Reds should eventually break through. While Ipswich’s defense, honed in pre-season, may keep the scoreline respectable, Liverpool is likely to claim all three points in their first match under Arne Slot.
