Liverpool Search for First Win as Fearless Ipswich Look to Expose Early-Season Cracks

Two games into the season and Liverpool are already searching for answers.

Two games.

Two 2-2 draws.

Four goals conceded.

No wins.

After being held by Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Andoni Iraola’s side travel to Portman Road knowing three points are becoming non-negotiable if they want to establish themselves amongst the Premier League’s early frontrunners.

“I need to win and we will go with this aim tomorrow [at Ipswich],” Iraola said.

This is not crisis territory. Not yet.

Another slip and the noise gets louder.

Liverpool have shown flashes of their attacking quality, defensively they have looked vulnerable, particularly when games become stretched.

Teams have been able to bypass their press and attack a back line suddenly left exposed in transition.

Has Father Time finally started catching up with Virgil van Dijk?

Ipswich have the weapons to test him.

Ipswich Want to Play Disruptor Again

Do not let the 5-2 defeat at Old Trafford fool you.

For large periods, Gary O’Neil’s side gave Manchester United serious problems.

They attacked fearlessly, deservedly took the lead and sliced through United before eventually capitulating under a second-half onslaught.

Julio Enciso could be central to everything.

Give him grass and he will carry the ball.

Give him a defender and he will run at him.

That unpredictability could be poisonous against a Liverpool side already struggling to control transitions.

Then there is pace in abundance around him.

Daizen Maeda provides relentless running while Abdul Fatawu showed exactly what he can do at Old Trafford.

“Lots of positives to take from it,” O’Neil said. “The lads have shown a good understanding.”

Liverpool’s Midfield Must Control the Chaos

That makes the midfield battle vital.

Ryan Gravenberch’s expected return alongside Dominik Szoboszlai could provide exactly what Liverpool have been missing.

Their responsibility will not simply be to dictate possession.

They need to kill counters before they breathe.

Liverpool cannot allow Enciso to collect possession, turn and start running towards Van Dijk and the rest of the back line.

O’Neil also has a new weapon.

Deadline-day signing Zian Flemming arrives for £20 million after showing his goalscoring ability with Burnley last season.

“He brings quality, physicality, so is an excellent addition and brings extra competition for places,” O’Neil said.

Enter Barcola

Liverpool could unleash a new weapon of their own.

The flying French Maverick Bradley Barcola is expected to be included in Iraola’s squad following his summer arrival, although whether he starts remains unclear.

Barcola is box office when given space.

Dazzling acceleration, fearless one-on-one ability and that willingness to attack a full-back repeatedly until something breaks.

Liverpool’s biggest issue has not been a lack of attacking talent.

It is what happens when those attacks break down.

Time to Turn Promise Into Points

History says Liverpool.

They have won the last five meetings between the sides and arrive with greater quality across the pitch.

Portman Road will not care about history.

Liverpool need something even more straightforward. A win.

Two draws can be brushed aside as an awkward start.

Go three Premier League games without victory and suddenly people start searching for patterns.

If Liverpool leave the door open in transition again, Enciso, Maeda and Fatawu will not need a second invitation.

Liverpool need to kickstart their season.

Ipswich would love nothing more than to kick them while they are down.