Liverpool will hope for their first win of the season at newly promoted Ipswich on Friday, which could provide a first glimpse of Bradley Barcola in action.
Ipswich vs. Liverpool
Premier League (3) | Portman Road
September 4, 2026 | 8pm (BST)
Andoni Iraola has overseen back-to-back Premier League draws to start the season, but now it’s time for three points!
Here’s all you need to know ahead of Ipswich vs. Liverpool.
Unexpected token '<', " Time to erase the doom & gloom at Liverpool LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) It hasn’t been the happiest start to the campaign for Liverpool, with performances unconvincing and a lack of transfer activity causing unrest among the fanbase. But it’s time to move on from a frustrating summer, starting with Friday’s trip to Portman Road. Liverpool’s season is badly in need of some momentum, and Ipswich should be seen as a great chance to achieve that goal. Further dropped points have to be avoided. Liverpool team news: Gomez closing on a return NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) Is greeted by head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez (L) Is greeted by head coach Andoni Iraola as he is substituted off during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) The good news for Liverpool is that Joe Gomez is nearing his return to full training, having not featured since early in pre-season. Meanwhile, Giovanni Leoni will resume training during the September international break along with Federico Chiesa after a year out of action. Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are still some way away from a return. A Liverpool debut for Bradley Barcola? Bradley Barcola new signing of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on August 31, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Bradley Barcola new signing of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on August 31, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool confirmed the signing of Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, with the Frenchman costing £123 million. He will bring the pace and end product that the Reds so badly need out wide, also hopefully getting the best out of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Barcola is comfortably Liverpool’s biggest addition of the summer, and Iraola now has to decide whether to start him against Ipswich. A lack of match fitness could put paid to that, but we will see, with the Reds boss saying he will “definitely be available” for the squad. Liverpool’s predicted XI: Where will Szoboszlai start? Liverpool's Victor Munoz celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday August 29, 2026. Liverpool's Victor Munoz celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday August 29, 2026. Iraola has lots of decisions to make with his starting lineup at Ipswich – it will be intriguing to see where Dominik Szoboszlai plays. He could replace Jeremie Frimpong at right-back, given the Dutchman’s struggles and because it hasn’t yet worked with Szoboszlai in a deeper midfield role. Kostas Tsimikas could replace Milos Kerkez at left-back, but that would still be a surprise, while Ryan Gravenberch will hope for a recall in midfield. Victor Munoz is favourite to start on the right wing, and with Barcola undercooked, the still-at-Liverpool Cody Gakpo is favourite to get the nod on the opposite flank. Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak How has Ipswich’s season started? IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 17, 2024: A general view of Portman Road ahead of the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 17, 2024: A general view of Portman Road ahead of the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) Now managed by Gary O’Neil, following the surprise exit of Kieran McKenna, Ipswich have made a solid start to life back in the Premier League. They started with a 2-1 win at home to Sunderland on the opening weekend, thanks to a last-gasp Jack Clarke goal. A 3-1 win over Leicester at Portman Road in the Carabao Cup second road followed, before last weekend’s 5-2 defeat away to Man United. They were the better team for 45 minutes at Old Trafford, though, taking the lead. Ipswich team news BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 11, 2023: Bournemouth's manager Gary O'Neil during a post-match press conference after the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 11, 2023: Bournemouth's manager Gary O'Neil during a post-match press conference after the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) Ipswich have a host of injury absentees for the visit of Liverpool, with Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor definitely missing. Striker Emersonn is “fine,” though, according to O’Neil, while Jaden Philogene is close to a return and Florentino Luis is a doubt. Abdul Fatawu and former Celtic man Daizen Maeda will likely start on the wings either side of Emersonn, with the gifted Julio Enciso at No. 10. Predicted Ipswich XI: Scherpen; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Nunez, Lukic; Fatawu, Enciso, Maeda; Emersonn Andoni Iraola “very happy” to keep Cody Gakpo Speaking to the media, Iraola discussed Gakpo staying at Liverpool instead of moving to Man City, and how he sees the situation: “Cody is a very smart player. My relationship with him has been very honest from the beginning. “He has performed with us very well in all the pre-season games, he scored first day, assisted in the next one. He was always aware of the situation in the market, we were constantly talking with each other. “He has trained very well and I hope we can keep him at the same level. I’m sure he’s like this. “He’s in a good place physically, mentally. I’m very happy to keep Cody, because he’s a very valuable player, yes.” Did you know? LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz scores the third goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz scores the third goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) Liverpool are actually looking to stop a run of six Premier League matches without a win, highlighting their iffy form at the end of the last season and beginning of 2026/27. The Reds’ last win in the competition was the 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace on April 25, with Isak, Wirtz and Andy Robertson scoring the goals. Since then, it has been four draws and two defeats in the league, including a 3-2 loss at Man United. Who is the referee for Ipswich vs. Liverpool? BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2025: Referee Darren England during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 1, 2025: Referee Darren England during the FA Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) Darren England has been confirmed as the referee for Friday’s match, assisted by Richard West and Adrian Holmes. He oversaw Hull‘s 2-0 win over United on the opening weekend. Nick Hopton is on VAR duty at Portman Road, and his assistant is Gary Beswick. Follow the match with TIA LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz celebrates on his debut with team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas after scoring his side's second and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz celebrates on his debut with team-mates Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas after scoring his side's second and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) Ipswich vs. Liverpool is live on Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm (BST), with kickoff at 8pm. TIA’s matchday live blog will be live from 7.15pm, with Harry McMullen providing regular updates throughout the evening. Come on you Reds! Frimpong, Szoboszlai collage Frimpong, Szoboszlai collage