The 2025 Premier League season marches forward, yet Liverpool continues to chase their elusive first home win of the year. As Arne Slot’s electrifying Reds prepare to host a beleaguered Ipswich Town this Saturday, they’ll aim to harness the energy from their impeccable Champions League exploits. Meanwhile, the visitors, reeling from a crushing defeat at the hands of Manchester City, face an uphill battle at one of football’s most intimidating venues.
Liverpool strides into the weekend with heads held high after a gritty 2-1 triumph over Lille secured their passage to the Champions League knockout stages. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott underscored their dominance on the continental stage, preserving their unblemished record under Slot’s stewardship. A solitary point against PSV Eindhoven next week will guarantee Liverpool the top spot in the league phase, a testament to their ruthless efficiency in Europe.
On domestic soil, Liverpool’s resilience was showcased in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Brentford. Darwin Núñez, who thrives in high-pressure moments, delivered a stunning late brace to snap Liverpool’s winless Premier League start to the year. This hard-fought success also extended their remarkable unbeaten streak in the league to 17 matches, reflecting the determination Slot has instilled in his squad.
Perhaps most strikingly, the Reds have scored at least two goals in their last 14 home fixtures across all competitions. With Ipswich in town, Liverpool will seek to extend this prolific streak and reinforce Anfield’s reputation as an unyielding fortress.
For Ipswich Town, this season has been a series of sharp ascents and steep descents. The optimism of a three-game unbeaten run was quickly dashed by consecutive home drubbings, leaving them entrenched in the relegation zone. A narrow 2-0 defeat to Brighton was followed by a 6-0 capitulation to a rampant Manchester City, further deepening the gloom at Portman Road.
Yet, Ipswich’s performances away from home offer a flicker of hope. A notable 56% of their points this season have come on their travels, placing them second only to Crystal Palace in road resilience. However, the prospect of overcoming Liverpool at Anfield—a feat Ipswich last achieved in 2000—feels almost mythical.
The Tractor Boys’ defensive struggles have been stark, with no clean sheets in their last eight Premier League away outings. Against Liverpool’s formidable attacking arsenal, Ipswich will require a herculean defensive effort to avoid yet another harrowing defeat.
Team News
Liverpool faces uncertainty over Curtis Jones, who picked up an injury midweek against Lille. If Jones is sidelined, Alexis Mac Allister is poised to step into the midfield engine room. Meanwhile, Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez remain unavailable, but the return of Cody Gakpo to the starting lineup is eagerly anticipated. Gakpo, in scintillating form, could join an elite club of Dutch players to score in five consecutive Premier League home games.
Ipswich, on the other hand, will be buoyed by the return of Kalvin Phillips, who missed the clash with his parent club, Manchester City. Defensive reinforcements in Axel Tuanzebe and George Hirst provide McKenna with options, but the absences of key attackers like Sammie Szmodics, Conor Chaplin, and Chiedozie Ogbene continue to hamper Ipswich’s offensive potential.
Tactically, McKenna faces a significant decision. His conservative 5-4-1 formation against Manchester City failed spectacularly, likely prompting a return to the familiar 4-2-3-1 setup. Newly acquired Brighton loanee Julio Enciso may offer a creative spark, though his debut is expected to be from the bench.
Liverpool’s front line—featuring Salah, Gakpo, Chiesa, and Szoboszlai—will test Ipswich’s defensive mettle. The Reds’ midfield pairing of Gravenberch and Mac Allister is expected to control the flow, leaving Ipswich reliant on Kalvin Phillips to disrupt their rhythm. For Ipswich’s Liam Delap, breaking through Liverpool’s imposing defensive line will be a monumental task without swift support on the counterattack.
Liverpool enters this contest as overwhelming favorites. Their offensive firepower, bolstered by a seemingly endless stream of in-form players, contrasts starkly with Ipswich’s struggles at both ends of the pitch. Nevertheless, football’s charm lies in its unpredictability, and Ipswich will cling to the hope of an upset that could reignite their fight for Premier League survival.
Key Stats: Liverpool vs Ipswich Town
- Liverpool at Anfield: Lost just 1 of their previous 37 Premier League fixtures kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday (28 wins, 8 draws).
- Points Record: 50 points from 21 Premier League games this season. Only bettered in 2019-20 (18 games) and 2018-19 (19 games).
- Shots Record: 37 shots against Brentford, the joint-most in a Premier League game since 2003-04.
- Salah’s Contribution: Directly involved in 60% of Liverpool’s Premier League goals at Anfield this season (7 goals, 5 assists).
- Cody Gakpo’s Form: 6 goal involvements in his last 6 home Premier League games (5 goals, 1 assist).
- Ipswich Away Form: 2 wins from their last 5 Premier League away games (1 draw, 2 defeats).
- Leif Davis Creativity: Only player with 20+ chances created from open play (21) and set-pieces (20) this season.
- Defensive Creativity Comparison: Trent Alexander-Arnold leads defenders with 42 chances created; Davis follows with 41.
- Liam Delap’s Goals: Ipswich’s leading scorer with 8 goals (4 right foot, 4 left foot).
- Away Reliance: 56% of Ipswich’s Premier League points this season earned in away games (9 of 16).
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Chiesa; Gakpo
Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1):
Walton; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Johnson, Hutchinson, Philogene; Delap
As Liverpool seeks to tighten their grip on the Premier League summit, Ipswich arrives at Anfield desperate for a spark in their bid to escape the relegation mire. For the Reds, Saturday’s clash offers a golden opportunity to rekindle their dominance on home turf. For Ipswich, it’s a daunting journey where survival instincts must outweigh recent scars. As the clock ticks down to kickoff, all eyes will be on Anfield, where the clash of ambition and desperation promises to deliver a captivating spectacle.
