Preview: Liverpool vs. Ipswich

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League leaders Liverpool will look to extend their lead at the top this weekend, and the Reds are natural favorites at home against Ipswich. Elsewhere, Manchester City faces Chelsea, ensuring at least one challenger drops points. Third-placed Nottingham Forest also faces a stern test, traveling to face the in-form Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Meanwhile, Arsenal is clear favorite away to Wolves, whose early momentum after a managerial change has faded in recent weeks.


Ten Straight Against Newly Promoted Sides

Liverpool looked set for their third consecutive draw at Brentford last weekend, but Darwin Núñez delivered two quick, much-needed goals in stoppage time to secure all three points. Later that day, title rivals Arsenal dropped points, allowing Liverpool to extend their lead. In midweek, the Reds advanced to the Champions League knockout stages, maintaining their perfect record of seven wins in the competition so far.

Liverpool

Liverpool has amassed 50 points from 21 Premier League matches—only in 2018-19 and 2019-20 did they reach this tally faster. At Anfield, they’ve won ten consecutive league games against newly promoted teams, scoring 34 goals and conceding seven since a 1-0 loss to Fulham in March 2021. The Reds are unbeaten in 17 top-flight matches (W12, D5), with their sole league defeat under Arne Slot coming against Nottingham Forest in September.


Harsh Reality for Ipswich

Ipswich soared after taking four points from Chelsea and Fulham, but their feet are firmly back on the ground following recent results. A 2-0 home loss to Brighton was followed by a crushing 6-0 defeat to Manchester City on Monday. Earlier in the season, they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in their first match back in the Premier League.

Premier League
Premier League: Liam Delap of Ipswich Town

The Blues have now lost seven of their last ten league matches (W2, D1) and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 18 top-flight games. Ipswich's 380 touches in the opposition penalty area this season are the lowest in the Premier League. On a brighter note, Leif Davis has created 41 chances in the league—second only to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold among defenders—but only two of those opportunities have been converted into goals.


Team News

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has been ruled out after being substituted at halftime against Lille on Tuesday, joining Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez on the sidelines.

Manager Arne Slot confirmed that Ibrahima Konaté, rested in midweek, is fit to play despite managing knee pain since returning from injury earlier this month.

For Ipswich, Julio Enciso is available to make his debut following a loan move from Brighton, while Jaden Philogene awaits his first start since signing from Aston Villa.

Sammie Szmodics, Conor Chaplin, and Chiedozie Ogbene remain unavailable, but Axel Tuanzebe is fit and could start. Kalvin Phillips is also back in contention after missing the match against parent club Manchester City.


Betting Tips

Cody Gakpo has scored in each of his last five appearances at Anfield (and six of his last seven). We back the winger to find the net again in this match.

Anytime Goalscorer: Cody Gakpo
Odds: 2.15 @ Betsmith (4 units)

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