Liverpool Vs. Ipswich Town: Hunt For First Victory In The Kandang Match

Liverpool hunted for their first home win in 2025 at home to Ipswich Town in the English Premier League. (X/@LFC)

JAKARTA - Liverpool started in 2025 without a win while playing at home. The home match against Ipswich Town in the English Premier League at Anfield Stadium, Saturday, January 25, 2025 evening WIB, became Liverpool's target to win the first victory.

Matches with very contradictory status. Liverpool are perched at the top of the standings. Liverpool's position did not waver because they were already six points ahead with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, who were ranked second and third.

Not only that, Liverpool also have the opportunity to leave their competitors. Currently, the Reds who are pocketing points 50 have only finished 21 matches. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Forest have played 22 matches.

Liverpool's chances of maintaining a points distance are also very open because Arne Slot's team is facing opponents from the lower zone. Yes, Ipswich, who only collected 16 points, is still in the relegation zone by occupying 18th position.

If you don't improve your ranking, Ipswich just rides through the Premier League for one season to return to the Championship Division. Ipswich with Leicester City, which is also in the red zone, is a promotional team.

Liverpool, which is indeed on fire, seems to be too strong for Ipswich. Mohamed Salah et al also brought very good capital by defeating Lille 2-1 in the Champions League match.

The win maintains The Pool's perfect record for seven preliminary matches that brought them to the top of the table. Not only that, Liverpool became the first team to qualify automatically for the last 16.

In domestic competitions, Liverpool also set a brilliant record. They only lost once and in the last match successfully beat hosts Brentford 2-0.

However, Liverpool have never won a home game when they enter the new year. In the first home game in 2025, Liverpool had difficulties before playing a 2-2 draw against Manchester United.

Liverpool won victory in the home game in the FA Cup and then the Champions League. Slot hopes Liverpool will complete their brilliant record in the competition by picking up their first win of the new year.

Meanwhile, Ipswich tried to restore confidence after swallowing two defeats at home. They lost 6-0 against Manchester City.

Previously, The Tractor Boys also had to admit Brighton and Hove Albion's lead with a score of 2-0. This ended an impressive record of Ipswich beating Chelsea 2-0 and then drawing 2-2 against Fulham.

This is clearly an unfavorable capital because Kieran McKenna's team actually experienced a decline when facing it

The problem is, Ipswich have a bad record in away games. They always conceded during the game away in the Premier League. In the first meeting against Liverpool at Portman Road, they also lost 2-0

In that match, Slot likely lost Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch who were injured against Lille. If Curtis doesn't recover, then midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will replace him.

With the absence of a number of players, including Diogo Jota, Slot will overhaul the squad as well as rotate the players. The forwards will replace Jota because Darwin Nunez also cannot appear. Gakpo will be supported by Salah, Domonic Szoboszlai and Federico Chiesa.

Unseeded Ipswich did not want to repeat mistakes like against Man City. At that time, McKenna held a 5-4-1 formation because they focused on defense. Instead of having a good defense, Ipswich's goal was broken six times.

McKenna is back in the 4-2-3-1 formation which he usually uses. Axel Tuanzebe and George Hirst have strengthened the team again. However, McKenna lost Sammie Szmodics, Conor Chaplin and Chiedozie Ogbene. Likewise, Jacob Greaves and Luke Woolfenden doubtful appear.

This makes it still difficult for Ipswich to stem Liverpool. So, how many goals did Liverpool score in the home game?

Player Composition Forecast

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Chiesa; Gakpo

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1): cap; Tuanzebe, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Johnson, Hutchinson, Philogene; Delap