Liverpool were not convincing for the entire 90 minutes. After taking an early lead, the visitors gradually became more passive and allowed Ipswich to have more of the game, particularly in the second half. Compared with the opening two league fixtures, however, Liverpool looked considerably more secure after losing possession and kept their first clean sheet of the Premier League campaign.
Araújo brings more balance in place of Frimpong
Iraola made just one change to the starting XI that drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest. Ronald Araújo replaced Jeremie Frimpong on the right side of the back four and made his first Liverpool start. While Frimpong interprets the role very aggressively and regularly pushes high up the pitch, Araújo was more conservative in his positioning. Liverpool sacrificed some attacking thrust on the right but were better protected when possession was lost.
The physically imposing Uruguayan also offers considerably more security in the air than Frimpong. Against Ipswich, Araújo won all six of his aerial duels and nine of his ten duels overall. On his first start alone, he offered a clear indication of the added defensive value his profile can provide.
Other summer signings also featured prominently. Jérémy Jacquet again started alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence, while Víctor Muñoz lined up on the wing. The most high-profile newcomer entered after 64 minutes, with Bradley Barcola making his Liverpool debut following his move from Paris Saint-Germain for more than €100 million.
The France international is expected to add pace, dribbling and runs in behind, particularly from the left, while increasing competition for places in the wide attacking positions. More broadly, Liverpool have reshaped their squad around Iraola’s vertical, high-intensity style. One position they did not strengthen with a traditional specialist was defensive midfield, while Wataru Endo was also left out of the squad for the Champions League league phase.
Isak punishes Ipswich with early double
Liverpool made the perfect start. In the sixth minute, Ipswich made a costly mistake while trying to play out from the back. The visitors immediately transitioned forward, Cody Gakpo found Isak and the Sweden international finished for 0-1.
Only three minutes later, the same combination struck again. Ipswich held a high defensive line, while Gakpo was afforded too much space in midfield. The Dutchman played an outside-of-the-boot pass through the middle towards Isak, who beat one defender. Goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen came off his line early, allowing Isak to roll the ball past him to his left for 0-2.
It was already the 26-year-old’s third league goal of the season following his strike against Nottingham Forest. After an injury-disrupted campaign last year, Isak appears to be moving closer to his best physical condition again.
Liverpool continued to enjoy more possession after the early double, but they did not apply the kind of attacking pressure the scoreline might have suggested. A third goal almost arrived regardless: Wirtz burst in behind the Ipswich defence before squaring for Isak, who put the ball into the net. The striker was offside when the pass was played, however, and the goal was ruled out following a VAR check.
Ipswich improve, but Liverpool remain defensively solid
The balance of the game shifted after the break. Ipswich became more adventurous, registered more shots and Liverpool offered very little attacking threat of their own. Iraola’s side became increasingly passive and focused primarily on protecting their advantage.
Liverpool did have one potential penalty situation after Dominik Szoboszlai was fouled, but VAR intervened because the Hungary international had already strayed offside before the contact.
The statistics reflect the pattern of the game. Ipswich registered 14 shots to Liverpool’s ten and also recorded a slightly higher Expected Goals figure, with 0.73 xG compared with Liverpool’s 0.66. That was largely because the visitors created very few clear chances after going 2-0 up, while Ipswich began shooting more frequently as the match progressed.
The hosts rarely threatened from truly dangerous positions, however. Ten of their 14 attempts came from outside the penalty area. The xG numbers therefore say less about clear Ipswich superiority and more about Liverpool failing to add sufficient attacking pressure after their ideal start.
Defensively, though, there was clear progress compared with the first two league matches. Liverpool were better organised after turnovers. Araújo’s more cautious interpretation of the right-back role contributed to that improvement, even if it cannot be attributed to one player alone. Jacquet and Van Dijk were required far less frequently to defend large spaces behind an advanced defensive line.
That assessment was also reflected in Iraola’s post-match comments. The Liverpool manager had demanded a better start from his players and received exactly that through Isak’s early brace. Afterwards, he expressed satisfaction with the improved pressing and defensive stability, while acknowledging that the second half was weaker. Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil, meanwhile, highlighted his side’s response after a difficult opening. The hosts worked their way back into the contest after falling 2-0 behind but failed to turn their stronger spells into goals.
Atlético test awaits in the Champions League
Liverpool moved provisionally up to fifth place in the Premier League with five points from three games. After two draws, the first victory of the season is finally on the board, although the Reds could have made far more of their comfortable position after taking such an early 2-0 lead.
There is little time to dwell on the result. Liverpool begin their Champions League league-phase campaign at home to Atlético Madrid on Wednesday. Against Diego Simeone’s side, the Reds will find out whether the improved defensive stability shown at Ipswich can also hold up against significantly stronger opposition.
