Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is aiming to secure his first victory in charge of the club as his side prepares to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road. The Premier League fixture is scheduled for Friday, September 4, at 8pm (19:00 GMT), with coverage beginning on Sport at 16:00 GMT.
The match comes as Liverpool integrates new arrival Bradley Barcola, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday for a fee reaching 124 million pounds ($167m). The 24-year-old French forward is now the club’s second-most expensive signing, trailing only the 125 million pounds ($169m) paid for Alexander Isak last year. Iraola praised the player’s attitude, noting that Barcola arrived with the “right mentality” and a clear desire to join the team.
Addressing the media on Thursday, the Spanish manager emphasized that signing a high-caliber player for that position was a priority. While Barcola has trained well, Iraola noted that a final decision on whether he will start remains pending, given his lack of preseason minutes. The manager expressed satisfaction with his summer transfer business, which also included Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, and stated he is relieved the window has closed so he can focus on developing the current squad.
The arrival of Barcola has sparked speculation regarding Cody Gakpo’s future at Anfield. However, Iraola dismissed these concerns, describing the Dutchman as a “very valuable player” whom he is happy to retain. The manager defended the club’s transfer strategy, explaining that decisions were based on a mix of sporting needs and economic feasibility.
Statistically, the odds favor the visitors, with the Opta supercomputer assigning Liverpool a 62 percent chance of victory compared to 19 percent for Ipswich. Historically, this will be the 75th meeting between the two clubs; Liverpool has claimed 38 wins, while Ipswich has secured 14.
Ipswich enters the match facing significant injury concerns. Midfielders Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor are sidelined, while Florentino Luis is undergoing a late fitness assessment. Additionally, Jaden Philogene-Bidace is out with an ankle injury, and Emersonn is a doubt due to a knee issue. The predicted Ipswich starting lineup includes Scherpen, O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis, Nunez, Lukic, Fatawu, Enciso, Maeda, and Akpom.
Liverpool also faces personnel challenges. Hugo Ekitike is unavailable due to a ruptured Achilles, while defenders Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are recovering from long-term knee injuries. Joe Gomez is managing a muscle strain, and Federico Chiesa is dealing with a back problem. The predicted Liverpool starting XI features Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Wirtz, Munoz, and 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 “It was our priority, let’s say, to sign a very, very good player in that position,” the Spaniard told reporters on Thursday. 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. The report also notes that who was linked with a move away from Anfield during the summer transfer window, the arrival of the Frenchman has raised questions about the future of left-winger Cody Gakpo.
