Click here for Ipswich Town v Liverpool odds
Friday 04 September, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports
Mixed start for Tractor Boys
Last time Ipswich Town were in the Premier League, they racked up just 22 points and ended the campaign a massive 16 points from safety. Seasoned firefighter Gary O'Neil is now at the helm, and already has three points on the board. The Suffolk side beat Sunderland with a 90th-minute Jack Clarke winner on the opening weekend, but last Sunday they were hammered 5-2 at Manchester United.
Ipswich have done some interesting transfer business. Bringing back Paraguayan forward Julio Enciso for a second spell already feels like a smart move, World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios will be a superb addition if he can stay fit and Dutch striker Zian Flemming has a decent scoring record in the Premier League.
The key to Ipswich's survival could well be their home form. Last time they were in the Premier League they won just one of their 19 home matches. This time around they have already put a victory in the books.
Jaden Philogene and Jack Taylor are long-term absentees, while midfielder Florentino is struggling to be fully fit in time.
Transfer anger has obscured Anfield positives
Liverpool had the biggest net spend in the Premier League this summer, and yet a section of the fanbase believes new manager Andoni Iraola has been sold short.
There is frustration that a defensive midfielder wasn't signed. But the truth is that Iraola's arrival has changed the number of central midfielders in the starting formation from three to two. Big-money contract extensions for Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch mean a way has to be found for those two to work together effectively.
Indeed, Iraola has underlined his belief that Liverpool's current fragility can only be solved as a team, not by a defensive specialist. That said, the Reds' decision to retain young midfielder Trey Nyoni in the face of serious interest from Nottingham Forest does feel significant.
It's also worth remembering that the Reds pulled off one of the biggest deals of the summer window, bringing in France and PSG winger Bradley Barcola for a nine-figure fee. It appears that the fleet-footed superstar only had eyes for Liverpool, although it took weeks of negotiations to get the deal done.
There's no doubt that Iraola has work to do to get Liverpool into contention for the major trophies. They have started the league season with two 2-2 draws, one at Newcastle and one at home to Nottingham Forest.
The Reds have had 40 shots across the two games, with only Brentford and Manchester United outshooting them across the first two matchdays. But Liverpool have given up 25 goal attempts and looked play too easy to play through.
This is nothing new for Liverpool, who have now kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League matches, and they have won just three of their last 12 top-flight games. If they are to qualify for the Champions League, Iraola must bed in his ideas quickly.
Barcola could make his debut at Portman Road, although he is only expected to be a substitute. Alexis Mac Allister is pushing to return in midfield, while Cody Gakpo will hope to start after seeing a move to Manchester City nixed by Liverpool after they couldn't find a replacement.
Friday night fireworks are likely
Both of Liverpool's Premier League games this term have featured four goals, while Ipswich have scored and conceded in all three of their competitive matches. Iraola's style of play lends itself to chaotic games, and he is still getting his ideas across. On a raucous night at Portman Road, I can see this game getting out of hand, so I'm happy to back Over 3.5 Goals at 2.35/4.
Back Over 3.5 Goals @
Szoboszlai part of 12/5 Bet Builder
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai is always a potential danger from set plays and long-range shots, and he has had three shots in each of his games this season. Last term the Hungarian hit the target at least once in 19 of his 36 Premier League matches.
I'll back a Szoboszlai shot on target, both teams to score (BTTS) and Florian Wirtz to have two or more shots at 12/53.40 on the Bet Builder. Wirtz has had five shots across his first two league games, and averaged 1.93 shots per 90 in the league last season.
Back BTTS, Szoboszlai to have a shot on target and Wirtz to have 2+ shots @