Game Week 1 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Ipswich

Ipswich Town's EPL return vs. Liverpool: Ed Sheeran's team faces Salah-led Reds under new manager Slot. Preview, key players, and match predictions.

Ipswich Town lost 5-0 to Liverpool in their last game in the Premier League in 2002, they face the same opponent on their return, is revenge on their cards? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Ipswich Town vs. Liverpool

Portman Road

12:30pm

Guess who is returning? It’s the Tractor Boys. After 22 years of absence from the Premier League, Ipswich Town is back, and they didn’t come back alone; they’re here with a famous fan, Ed Sheeran!

It’s a day of interesting firsts. Arse Slot files out with Liverpool for the first time ever in the Premier League after replacing Jurgen Klopp, who left the club at the end of last season. How will the Dutchman fare on the job at Anfield?

Here’s a strange one as we look at what should ordinarily be a battle between David and Goliath, and it’s an interesting stat that could warm the heart of David in this context: no Liverpool manager in the modern era has ever won their first game in charge at the club. Are you backing the hosts?

Before you get too excited, no player has scored more goals on the opening day of a new league season than the Egyptian King Mohammed Salah (8), tied with Newcastle, Chelsea, and Manchester United legends Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard, and Wayne Rooney, respectively.

Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap are the two boys you want to watch out for in the Ipswich team; they both have some rich experience playing in the second teams for Chelsea and Manchester City, respectively, and were both influential last season in gaining promotion for the Tractor Boys.

Liverpool remains unchanged from the previous season: Thiago Alcantara's retirement, Joel Matip's departure, and the sale of Fabio Carvalho to Brentford. The club made an attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi, who ultimately chose to remain at Real Sociedad.

You don’t know what to expect from a new manager like Slot, but if his days at Feyernood are anything to go by, expect more of the same as you had in the Klopp era: expansive and exciting attacking football with lots of goals.

Liverpool typically starts with goals; they’re one of the few teams that guarantee goals on the opening day. Ipswich must be wary of Liverpool’s fast-paced football and late running into the box; it could be a long afternoon for the hosts.

Kieran McKenna isn’t stranger to the big stage, having worked with Jose Mourinho in the top flight. He will make his managerial debut in the league on Saturday, but how to stop Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota must be his top priority.

Verdict: Liverpool to win.