Ipswich vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Ipswich Town have started their season brightly as The Tractor Boys now welcome a still winless Liverpool side down to Portman Road in Suffolk on Friday.

Kick-off date/time: 4 September 2026 at 8:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – DirecTV Stream

Ipswich preview: Entertaining start

Ipswich come into this one on the back of a 5-2 loss to Manchester United in a game in which they took a first half lead via Leif Davis before a brilliant Bruno Fernandes performance inspired a turnaround for The Red Devils at Old Trafford.

That came after Gary O’Neil’s side began life back in the Premier League with a dramatic come from behind defeat of Sunderland, courtesy of a 90th minute winner scored by former Black Cats winger Jack Clarke.

Liverpool preview: Teething issues

Liverpool have changed manager this summer with former AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola replacing Arne Slot with The Reds seeking to re-establish themselves as a real force once again after finishing fifth in the top-flight last season.

They rescued a late point against Newcastle United in their opener at St James’ Park before again needing two equalisers to share a second successive draw against Nottingham Forest at Anfield in their most recent outing.

Ipswich team news: Emersonn fit but may not start

Emersonn was forced off through a slight injury issue against Manchester United last weekend but Gary O'Neil has confirmed that he is fit and available once again.

There is a chance that he still starts on the bench here with O'Neil potentially reverting to a back three against Liverpool, as he deployed in the closing stages at Old Trafford.

Predicted XI (3-4-3): Scherpen; O'Shea, Diop, Greaves; Furlong, Palacios, Lukic, Davis; Fatawu, Maeda, Enciso

Unavailable: Taylor (Injured), Matusiwa (Fitness), Philogene (Fitness)

Questionable:

Liverpool team news: Barcola likely to be on the bench

Following his big money move from Paris Saint-Germain, Bradley Barcola is expected to begin the game on the bench this weekend with Victor Munoz and Cody Gakpo remaining the wingers.

A decision on the 'number ten' role is to be made with Florian Wirtz still underperforming and Dominik Szoboszlai potentially playing there with Alexis Mac Allister partnering Ryan Gravenberch in midfield.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Munoz, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak

Unavailable: Leoni (Injured), Gomez (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Chiesa (Injured), Ekitike (Injured), Danns (Fitness)

Questionable: 

Ipswich vs Liverpool prediction

Gary O’Neil has had a habit of being able to shutdown and frustrate some of the elite in English football, as he did previously at Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Liverpool head to Ipswich still searching for a first win but Iraola himself is now unbeaten in 20 Premier League games. A victory seems just around the corner, surely, albeit in a game that may be uncomfortable for the visitors under the lights.

Ipswich vs Liverpool tip: Liverpool to win & under 3.5 goals