Premier League soccer is again! Arne Slot manages Liverpool competitively for the primary time this weekend as Liverpool start their marketing campaign at Ipswich.
Ipswich vs. Liverpool
Premier League (1) | Portman RoadAugust 17, 2024 | 12.30pm (BST)
After three months and with Jurgen Klopp now a factor of the previous, the Reds are again!
Slot has are available in and impressed this summer season, profitable 4 out of 5 pre-season friendlies – however now the true take a look at begins.
Liverpool open their 2024/25 account with a visit to newly-promoted Ipswich – right here’s all you’ll want to know forward of the sport.
1. The Slot period correctly begins
Friendlies are one factor, however Saturday’s recreation actually represents the start of life below Slot at Liverpool.
The Dutchman has are available in and made a real influence, talking effectively and carrying himself with class, to not point out adopting a recent taking part in model that is analogous to Klopp’s.
Liverpool’s gamers look like having fun with life below him, talking extremely of his techniques, and the hope is {that a} superb interval beckons.
Changing a determine like Klopp is an unenviable job, however Slot has loads of religion in his personal skill and has been handed a superb squad.
We can’t watch for Saturday’s conflict with Ipswich to begin however watch out for the hosts…
2. Ipswich having fun with outstanding journey
Whereas a lot focus will likely be on Liverpool and Slot this weekend, taking Ipswich without any consideration could possibly be a grave error.
The Tractor Boys have loved a shocking interval below the spectacular Kieran McKenna, gaining back-to-back promotions from League One and the Championship.
They’ve performed eye-catching, ball-playing soccer alongside the best way, and it’s an strategy that their gifted younger supervisor received’t steer away from within the Premier League.
Some key summer season switch enterprise has been performed, bringing in Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea and Liam Delap and Kalvin Phillips from Man Metropolis, amongst others, and they’ll pose a risk.
3. Who’s out for Liverpool?
Below Klopp, Liverpool’s accidents felt unending – right here’s hoping Slot’s much less intense model places a cease to that.
The early indicators are good, in that respect, with each senior participant out there for Saturday’s journey to East Anglia.
Andy Robertson has handled damage issues since Euro 2024, in addition to final season, however he’s out there for choice this weekend.
4. Anticipated Liverpool XI
On the face of it, it appears to be like as if Liverpool’s beginning XI at Ipswich could possibly be the identical one which confronted Sevilla at Anfield final Sunday.
That may imply Jarell Quansah being most popular to Ibrahima Konate at centre-back, and Kostas Tsimikas beginning at left-back after a great pre-season.
Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are prone to play in a double pivot, whereas Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz ought to be on both aspect of Diogo Jota in assault.
Potential Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz; Jota
5. How may Ipswich line up?
Phillips and Sammie Szmodics are their most up-to-date additions, however Saturday may come too quickly for them.
Cameron Humphreys is an enormous doubt for the sport, whereas Harry Clarke, George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead and Janoi Donacien have been nursing accidents.
Hutchinson, Delap and Jacob Greaves are amongst Ipswich‘s summer season signings and all three may begin for McKenna’s males.
Predicted Ipswich XI: Muric; Tuanzebe, Edmundson, Greaves; Johnson, Luongo, Morsy, Davis; Hutchinson, Delap, Harness
6. Diaz going nowhere this summer season
Talking to the media on Friday, Slot stated that Diaz goes nowhere this summer season, regardless of stories suggesting in any other case.:
“There may be a variety of hypothesis on this nation. His future is with us. I like loads what I’ve seen of him within the final 10 days and noticed the identical final season.
“He has had a huge impact on Liverpool’s season and I hope he has a huge impact this season.”
Liverpool’s head coach additionally insisted sporting director Richard Hughes is “nonetheless attempting to enhance the workforce” earlier than the switch window closes.
7. Opening day document bodes effectively
Getting off to a profitable begin is so vital for Liverpool in any season, and their current document can solely be a great indicator.
Granted, the Reds have drawn of their final two opening Premier League fixtures, at Chelsea (2023/24) and Fulham (2022/23), however they received the earlier three, in opposition to Leeds (2020/21), Norwich (2019/20) and West Brom (2018/19).
In actual fact, Liverpool haven’t misplaced on this recreation since again in 2012/13, once they had been humbled 3-0 away to West Brom in Brendan Rodgers’ first match in cost.
Notably, Slot can turn into the primary Reds boss within the Premier League period to win his first topflight recreation.
Something aside from victory on Saturday would really feel vastly disappointing.
8. Did You Know?
Salah has had the bit between his enamel this summer season and is famend for his goalscoring brilliance on the opening weekend.
Final season, the 32-year-old failed to attain within the 1-1 draw at Chelsea, however in any other case, his document is phenomenal.
Salah has scored in Liverpool’s opening recreation in all of his different six seasons at Anfield, together with bagging a hat-trick in opposition to Leeds 4 years in the past.
It might be similar to him to hit the bottom operating on Saturday.
9. Robinson takes cost
Tim Robinson will referee Liverpool’s maiden league outing, along with his solely Reds recreation within the competitors final season the 3-1 win at dwelling to Burnley in February.
He confirmed 5 yellow playing cards at Anfield that day. In complete, he awarded six penalties all through the marketing campaign.
Timothy Wooden and Steve Meredith are Robinson’s assistant at Portman Highway, whereas Keith Stroud is fourth official.
In the meantime, Stuart Attwell is accountable for VAR and is supported by Harry Lennard.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Ipswich vs. Liverpool is dwell on TNT Sports activities from 11am (BST) on Saturday, with kickoff at 12.30pm.
Sam Millne is accountable for This Is Anfield‘s first aggressive dwell weblog of the season, protecting you firm from 11.45am.
Come on you Reds!
