Arne Slot Warns Liverpool Not To Consider Enteng Ipswich

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, is wary of Ipswich Town in Week 23 of the Premier League (Instagram/@liverpoolfc).

JAKARTA - Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he expects a tough match against Ipswich Town on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Anfield.

He believes Kieran McKenna's side have only been unlucky in the game since promotion to the Premier League.

The Reds and Ipswich positions are indeed very lame in the standings. Liverpool lead the standings, while Ipswich is ranked 18th.

In the meeting in the first round of the league, Liverpool managed to win 2-0 at Portman Road.

However, that record did not make Arne Slot happy. The Dutch coach believes Ipswich can give a surprise, especially the situation in the second round can be different from the entry of new players in the winter market.

"(Ipswich) sometimes unlucky in the last moments of the game. The second round of seasons is always more difficult as some teams strengthen themselves during the winter market."

"Many teams have worked closely with managers for half a season. So, a team is usually getting better."

"That's what happened to Ipswich. It's natural to say they've improved and that's a tribute to Kieran McKenna," said Arne Slot.

The reason Arne Slot didn't look down on Ipswich was also based on his experience. He anchored to Anfield to lead a team he had never held before.

Moreover, there was a new player arrival last summer. However, it actually made Liverpool better.

Therefore, the strengthening carried out by The Tractor Boys, nicknamed Ipswich, in the winter transfer market will bring significant positive changes.

"The fact is I only worked with 13 or 14 players for a week and a half at the time (when I just came to Liverpool)."

"Sometimes a lot says about how difficult it is to come to try to work with a new team."

"However, to be honest it may feel a little the same for me. You see, a lot of players have just arrived a week and a half before the start of the season."

"Since then, we have only played in matches. It's only natural that we get better," he said again.

Meanwhile, Arne Slot also confirmed that Liverpool will play without midfielder Curtis Jones for the match against Ipswich.

He was withdrawn in the first half in a midweek win over Lille in the Champions League.

However, the Dutchman has eased concerns that Ibrahima Konate is struggling for fitness.

You see, the French player recently said he had been playing while enduring pain since returning from a knee injury earlier this month.

"You've seen how we've tried to overcome that (injury). Jarell (Quansah) played against Lille and Accrington."

"It's because (Konate) feels pain. We didn't exaggerate him, but he felt a little bit."

"He's safe to play, but you have to realize the burden. When a player is out for five or six weeks, playing someone every three days is a certain risk."

"So, we tried to overcome it. I think he has now reached a point where he is able to play three times a week," said Arne Slot.

Liverpool still lead the 2024/2025 Premier League standings with a collection of 50 points, a difference of six points from Arsenal who stalked in second place.