Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is aiming to secure his first competitive victory as he leads his side against Ipswich Town at Portman Road this Friday. The Premier League fixture is scheduled for 8pm (19:00 GMT), with coverage beginning on Sport at 16:00 GMT.
The match comes as Liverpool integrates their latest high-profile acquisition, Bradley Barcola. The 24-year-old French forward joined from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday for a fee reaching 124 million pounds ($167m), making him the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history. Only the 125 million pounds ($169m) deal for Swedish international Alexander Isak last year ranks higher.
Iraola, who has overseen two draws to start his tenure following the departure of Arne Slot, expressed confidence in the new arrival. “It was our priority, let’s say, to sign a very, very good player in that position,” the manager stated. He noted that Barcola arrived with the “right mentality” and a clear desire to play for the club. While the manager confirmed Barcola has trained well, he cautioned that a decision on whether the forward will start depends on his fitness, given his lack of preseason minutes.
The squad remains bolstered by other summer arrivals, including Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz. Iraola expressed satisfaction with the club’s transfer activity, noting that the team has been improved by these moves. He also addressed the future of Cody Gakpo, confirming that the Dutchman remains a “very valuable player” at Anfield despite external transfer speculation.
Iraola faces several selection challenges for the trip to Ipswich. Hugo Ekitike is sidelined with a ruptured Achilles, while defenders Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley continue their recovery from long-term knee injuries. Additionally, Joe Gomez is dealing with a muscle strain and Federico Chiesa is managing a back issue.
The hosts are also navigating injury concerns. Ipswich will be without Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor in midfield, while Jaden Philogene-Bidace is out with an ankle injury. Florentino Luis faces a late fitness test, and Emersonn remains a doubt due to a knee problem.
Historically, Liverpool holds the advantage in this fixture, having won 38 of the 75 previous encounters, while Ipswich has recorded 14 victories. The Opta supercomputer currently favors the visitors, assigning Liverpool a 62 percent chance of victory compared to 19 percent for Ipswich.
Predicted lineups for the match include: Ipswich Town (Scherpen; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Nunez, Lukic; Fatawu, Enciso, Maeda; Akpom) and Liverpool (Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Munoz; Isak). The report also notes that who: Ipswich Town vs Liverpool What: English Premier League Where: Portman Road, Ipswich, United Kingdom When: Friday, September 4 at 8pm (19:00 GMT) How to follow: Sport will bring you all the buildup from 16:00 GMT. The report also notes that the price tag for the left-winger is second only to the 125 million pounds ($169m) Liverpool paid Newcastle for Sweden star Alexander Isak last year. The report also notes that i’ve learnt from him that he wanted Liverpool a lot. The report also notes that “And being the player that he is and the things that he has won recently, I think he has come also with the willingness to help us. The report also notes that also he will definitely be available for [Ipswich].”, if everything goes well in today’s training. The report also notes that “He is in a good place, but we also have to consider that he hasn’t had the minutes in the preseason games,” said the former Bournemouth boss.
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