Match Information
Our pre-match preview Written before kick-off — see what we expected from this match
Match Overview
Ipswich host Liverpool at Portman Road on September 4, 2026 in Regular Season - 3 of the Premier League, an early-season fixture with both sides still finding their form. Ipswich sit 12th and Liverpool 13th in the table, a reflection of uneven starts that adds intrigue to what would otherwise be viewed as a mismatch on paper.
Form is the dominant storyline here. Ipswich head into the match having lost 5-2 away to Manchester United on August 30 in their most recent league outing, though that followed back-to-back wins over Sunderland (2-1) in the league on August 22 and Leicester (3-1) in the League Cup on August 25. Liverpool, meanwhile, have not tasted victory in their last four competitive matches, drawing 2-2 with Nottingham Forest on August 29, drawing 2-2 at Newcastle on August 23, drawing 0-0 with Como in a friendly on August 16, and losing 2-3 to Monaco on August 9. Both managers, Gary O'Neil for Ipswich and Andoni Iraola for Liverpool, will be looking for their sides to find consistency after mixed starts to the campaign.
Squad availability is a notable factor working in both teams' favor: neither Ipswich nor Liverpool have any reported injuries, meaning both managers can select from full-strength squads. For Iraola, that means continued access to attacking talents like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, while O'Neil can call upon his full complement of options including Julio Enciso and Marcelino Núñez in midfield.
For full statistical context, check out the Premier League predictions.
The head-to-head record adds a psychological dimension, with Liverpool having won both recent meetings between these sides. Given the early-season uncertainty both clubs are navigating, this fixture presents an opportunity for either side to build momentum at a crucial juncture of the season.
Predicted Lineups
Ipswich
Kjell Scherpen; Dara O'Shea, Issa Diop, Jacob Greaves, Leif Davis; Saša Lukić, Marcelino Núñez, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Julio Enciso, Daizen Maeda; Emersonn
Liverpool
Alisson; J. Frimpong, J. Jacquet, V. van Dijk, M. Kerkez; D. Szoboszlai, A. Mac Allister, C. Gakpo, F. Wirtz, V. Munoz; A. Isak
Team Form Analysis
Ipswich
League Position: 12Ipswich Form Analysis
Ipswich's form shows promise tempered by inconsistency. Their most recent Premier League outing ended in a heavy 5-2 defeat away to Manchester United on August 30, exposing defensive vulnerabilities against elite opposition. However, this followed a productive stretch: a 2-1 home win over Sunderland in the league on August 22, and a 3-1 League Cup victory over Leicester on August 25, both of which suggest the squad can perform well against sides of comparable or lesser stature. The preseason friendlies also hinted at attacking sharpness, with a 4-2 away win over Union Berlin on August 15 and a 3-0 home victory against Rayo Vallecano on August 8. Across these five outings, Ipswich have scored freely, netting at least two goals in every match, indicating an attack capable of causing problems for most defenses. The concern lies at the other end, where the Manchester United result revealed how costly defensive lapses can be against top-tier competition, a factor that will be tested again against Liverpool.
Liverpool
League Position: 13Liverpool Form Analysis
Liverpool's form has been underwhelming across recent matches, with a run stretching back several fixtures without a win. Their last two Premier League matches both ended level, a 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest on August 29 and a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle on August 23, showing an attack capable of scoring but a defense conceding regularly. A goalless friendly draw with Como on August 16 and a 2-3 friendly defeat to Monaco on August 9 further underline the inconsistency. Notably, a 2-4 defeat to Leeds on August 2 in the Premier League - Summer Series adds to a pattern of Liverpool struggling to find defensive solidity. On the attacking side, players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz provide quality going forward, and Liverpool have scored in every one of these five matches. However, the inability to keep clean sheets or convert draws into wins will be a concern for Andoni Iraola as his side looks to climb the table.
Head-to-Head
Ipswich
Liverpool
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-25 | Liverpool | 4 - 1 | Ipswich |
| 2024-08-17 | Ipswich | 0 - 2 | Liverpool |
Memorable Matches
The two most recent meetings between these sides both favored Liverpool. On January 25, 2025, Liverpool secured a commanding 4-1 victory, showcasing their attacking depth against Ipswich's defense. Earlier, on August 17, 2024, Liverpool won 0-2 away at Ipswich, a result that demonstrated their ability to control matches even on the road. These two results give Liverpool a psychological edge heading into the September 4, 2026 fixture, having outscored Ipswich 6-1 across the two encounters. Ipswich will be eager to use home advantage at Portman Road to change the narrative of this fixture and record their first result against Liverpool in these recent meetings.
Venue Factor
Portman Road provides Ipswich with the backing of their home crowd, a factor that could prove significant given the unpredictable form both sides have shown this season. Ipswich's only home match in recent form data, a 2-1 win over Sunderland on August 22, suggests the venue can be a source of positive results when the team performs to its potential. For Liverpool, travel form has been mixed, highlighted by a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle on August 23. The atmosphere at Portman Road, combined with Ipswich's need to respond after their heavy defeat at Manchester
Injury Concerns
Ipswich
Liverpool
