Ipswich Town vs. Liverpool: Preview

There is a game to be won as the Premier League resumes fully for a Saturday match day kickoff and for Liverpool, it means starting their season on a high against Ipswich Town.

However, that in mind, the Reds have themselves a bad history ahead of facing the Tractor Boys at Portman Road — the fact that in the modern day premier league era, no new Liverpool manager has ever won their first ever competitive game in charge; especially in the premier league.

Read More:

“This is why I don’t like him” — Konate on Liverpool teammate

Premier League Predictions for the Opening weekend

Premier League 2024/25 shake-up: Here’s what to expect

Former Reds boss, Jurgen Klopp started his first ever competitive league action against Tottenham Hotspur in a 0-0 draw, so did the manager he replaced, Brendan Rodgers who witnessed a 3-0 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion on August 18, ironically a day later from today. Also, the manager Rodgers replaced, Kenny Daglish did not win his first premier league game in his second stint as Liverpool boss. So also did Rafa Benitez not win his first premier league game in charge either.

Now, there is a lot of unfortunate history facing the mild Dutchman at Liverpool, which would make his first intro to the English league versus Ipswich Town all the more interesting for the Reds. The Merseyside giants had the best pre-season tour of the top 6 sides this season, winning 4 of the games including victories against premier league sides Arsenal and Manchester United. But can he do it when it matters?

For Ipswich Town, the Tractor Boys have an uncomfortable history against Liverpool since last facing them in the premier league 22-years ago, making their first meeting at Portman Road a very tricky one. They have already faced off the Reds in a secret closed door friendly in pre-season in a 3-1 defeat, hence the Tractor Boys will already have an idea of what to expect against Arne Slot’s team.

With history recording Ipswich Town winning Liverpool just once in the premier league era and twice in all competitions, however on penalties, the Tractor Boys will be hoping the new manager history the Reds are ‘superstitiously’ cursed by, comes into play at lunch time kickoff.

With the club managing to keep together the same core of players that got them promoted from the Championship last season, including retaining loanee Omari Hutchinson on a permanent deal, the Tractor Boys will be hoping to beat the odds to give premier league its first surprising narrative this season.

It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, and if any manager can do it, Kieran McKenna who over the summer was touted as potential Chelsea manager, can do it. From potentially facing Manchester City on opening weekend, McKenna has to settle for a Liverpool side with a new manager. The game versus Manchester City will have its time when they meet next weekend at the Etihad.