The Kopite View

There are some refereeing decisions that you eventually move on from.

Then there are decisions that leave such a bitter taste that you never forget them.

For Liverpool supporters, Darren England will forever be associated with one of the most extraordinary refereeing failures in Premier League history — the infamous Luis Díaz goal at Tottenham.

That night, Liverpool were denied a perfectly good goal after England, acting as VAR, failed to properly communicate that the on-field decision had been overturned.

It was an extraordinary error.

And, quite frankly, Liverpool should have insisted that Darren England never went anywhere near another Liverpool game.

Yet here we are.

After what happened against Ipswich, you have to ask why Liverpool weren’t protected from having England involved in another of their matches.

This time there were two more major talking points.

First came the incident involving Cody Gakpo.

Liverpool had a strong claim for a penalty, but once again the decision went against them.

Then came the Szoboszlai incident.

England sent the referee to the pitchside monitor — yet remarkably, the referee had not initially given the decision.

That is exactly why VAR exists.

If the technology identifies something that the on-field referee has missed, the referee should be given the opportunity to review it.

And on this occasion, he did.

The fact that he ultimately changed his decision only makes you wonder why it wasn’t spotted in the first place.

Of course, Liverpool shouldn’t be looking for excuses.

They won the game.

They scored twice.

They were the better team.

And ultimately, good teams have to overcome poor refereeing decisions.

But that isn’t really the point.

The point is trust.

After the Díaz incident at Tottenham, Liverpool supporters were entitled to wonder whether England should ever again be involved in a Liverpool fixture.

Referees are human and mistakes happen.

But when one official has already been at the centre of arguably the biggest VAR communication failure in Premier League history involving Liverpool, surely there should be some consideration given to avoiding another potential conflict.

Liverpool shouldn’t have to wonder whether the next controversial decision involving England will once again go against them.

The Premier League and PGMOL have spent years telling supporters that they want to improve standards.

Then surely common sense has to come into it.

If there is a referee or VAR official who has lost the confidence of an entire fanbase because of a previous catastrophic error, why put him in a position where another controversy can arise?

Liverpool beat Ipswich.

That’s what matters most.

But the Gakpo penalty and Szoboszlai decision will inevitably have supporters asking the same question:

Why was Darren England anywhere near a Liverpool game in the first place?

After the Luis Díaz debacle at Tottenham, Liverpool should have made their feelings crystal clear.

They should have insisted that England never officiated another Liverpool match.

Because after what happened against Ipswich, that decision looks more justified than ever.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool produced a convincing performance against Ipswich Town, with several players impressing as Arne Slot’s side continued their strong start.

There were standout displays throughout the team, but two players in particular stole the show.

Alexander Isak finally showed Liverpool supporters exactly why the club spent big to bring him to Anfield, while Cody Gakpo delivered a sensational performance in support of the Swedish striker.

Here are our Liverpool player ratings from the victory over Ipswich.

Alisson — 6/10

A relatively quiet evening for the Liverpool goalkeeper, although he was lucky to get away with misjudging a first-half corner. There were one or two anxious moments, but ultimately Alisson was never seriously troubled.

Ronald Araujo — 7/10

An impressive Premier League debut at right-back. Araujo looked strong both in the air and on the ground and consistently found himself in the right position to make important interventions.

A very encouraging first outing.

Virgil van Dijk — 7/10

The Liverpool captain was his usual composed self. Ipswich tried to make things frantic at times, but Van Dijk remained calm and assured throughout.

Another professional performance from the skipper.

Jeremy Jacquet — 7/10

Solid alongside Van Dijk. Jacquet continues to look like an excellent acquisition and showed once again that he can be trusted at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

Milos Kerkez — 6/10

Kerkez was occasionally troubled by Fatawu’s pace but was never put into serious difficulty. A steady performance from the left-back.

Dominik Szoboszlai — 7/10

Szoboszlai provided plenty of energy from midfield, making driving runs and regularly testing the Ipswich goalkeeper.

His willingness to get forward gave Liverpool another attacking outlet.

Alexis Mac Allister — 6/10

Not quite at his best. Mac Allister misplaced too many passes for his usual standards, but one thing you can never question is his willingness to take responsibility.

He kept demanding the ball and never hid.

Florian Wirtz — 6/10

A busy performance from Wirtz, although there were moments when he looked lightweight against the physicality of the game.

However, there were once again flashes of the subtle skill and technique that suggest there is plenty more to come from the German.

Alexander Isak — 8/10

Finally, this is the Alexander Isak Liverpool supporters have been waiting to see.

The Swedish striker caused problems with his movement, repeatedly running in behind the Ipswich defence and showing the pace and intelligence that made Liverpool so keen to sign him.

Most importantly, he took his chances with two cool finishes.

A statement performance from Isak.

Victor Munoz — 6/10

Munoz was willing to take defenders on and showed plenty of pace out wide, but his final ball and end product could have been better.

Still, there were encouraging signs.

Cody Gakpo — 9/10

Outstanding.

Gakpo was arguably Liverpool’s best player on the night and played a huge role in Isak’s goals.

His two superb passes for the striker’s opening goals demonstrated his quality, vision and understanding of the game.

It was the sort of performance that reminded everyone just how valuable Gakpo is to this Liverpool team.

He was simply sensational.

Substitutes

Bradley Barcola — 5/10

Introduced in the second half and showed flashes of the extraordinary pace that Liverpool supporters can expect from their £123m signing.

Ryan Gravenberch — 5/10

Brought on to help Liverpool control the game and prevent any potential Ipswich revival.

Rio Ngumoha — N/A

Not enough time on the pitch to make a meaningful assessment.

Lewis Koumas — N/A

Introduced late and had little opportunity to influence proceedings.

Player of the Match: Cody Gakpo

There were several excellent performances, but Gakpo gets our Player of the Match award.

His contribution to Isak’s goals was superb and his overall performance demonstrated exactly why Liverpool will be delighted to have kept hold of him.

Isak will take the headlines after finally announcing himself in a Liverpool shirt, but Gakpo was the man pulling the strings.

Liverpool have plenty to be excited about.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Alexander Isak struck twice inside the opening nine minutes as Liverpool finally claimed their first Premier League victory under Andoni Iraola with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

After two frustrating 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool travelled to Suffolk knowing that anything less than three points would increase the pressure on their new manager.

They responded in exactly the way Iraola would have wanted.

Fast. Direct. Ruthless.

And at the centre of it all was Alexander Isak.

Isak strikes twice in nine minutes

Liverpool didn’t give Ipswich any time to settle.

The Reds attacked with purpose from the opening whistle and took the lead after just six minutes.

Cody Gakpo was heavily involved, creating the opening for Isak, who made no mistake with a clinical finish to put Liverpool 1-0 ahead.

Before Ipswich had even recovered, Liverpool had struck again.

Just three minutes later, Gakpo once again provided the ammunition and Isak produced another composed finish to double the advantage.

Two goals.

Two Gakpo assists.

Nine minutes on the clock.

Liverpool had completely blown Ipswich away.

For Isak, it was a hugely encouraging night. After an injury-hit first season at Anfield, the Swedish striker looked sharp, confident and clinical — exactly what Liverpool supporters had been hoping to see.

Liverpool take control

At 2-0 down, Ipswich were forced to respond and Gary O’Neil’s side gradually found their way into the game.

Liverpool weren’t quite as dominant as they had been during the opening spell, but they remained in control and continued to look dangerous whenever they moved the ball quickly through midfield.

Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister helped Liverpool maintain control, while Gakpo continued to cause problems on the left.

Isak even appeared to have completed his hat-trick before the effort was ruled out for offside.

The Reds went into half-time two goals to the good.

Ipswich fight back but Liverpool hold firm

The second half was a different contest.

Ipswich showed considerably more attacking intent and Liverpool were forced to defend for longer periods.

But this was an important test for Iraola’s side.

Rather than allowing the game to become frantic, Liverpool managed to see it out.

There were moments when Ipswich threatened, but the Reds’ defence stood firm and Ronald Araújo, making his first Liverpool start, produced an encouraging performance at right-back.

Liverpool also had a penalty shout checked by VAR after Dominik Szoboszlai went down inside the area, but the decision was overturned after an offside in the build-up.

The important thing was that Liverpool remained disciplined.

Barcola makes his Liverpool debut

There was another moment Liverpool supporters had been waiting for when Bradley Barcola was introduced from the bench.

The £123 million signing immediately showed flashes of the pace and directness that Liverpool have added to their attack.

His first few touches brought a roar from the travelling supporters and, although he couldn’t add to the scoreline, his arrival offered another glimpse of just how dangerous Liverpool’s attacking options could become.

With Isak, Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola and the other attacking talent now available to Iraola, there is certainly plenty for Liverpool fans to be excited about.

A statement win for Iraola

The final whistle brought a huge sense of relief.

Liverpool had finally got their first Premier League victory of the Iraola era.

It wasn’t a spectacular second-half performance, but it didn’t need to be.

The damage had already been done.

Two goals in nine minutes.

A clean sheet.

Three points.

And, perhaps most importantly, a performance that showed Liverpool can be ruthless when they start games with real intensity.

Isak was the obvious match-winner, but Gakpo deserves enormous credit for creating both goals and producing an excellent attacking performance.

For Iraola, this was exactly the result he needed.

Liverpool now move onto five points from their opening three Premier League matches, and suddenly those two opening draws don’t look quite as frustrating.

There is still plenty of work to do.

But tonight, Liverpool supporters can finally look at their new manager and say:

That’s more like it.

And if Alexander Isak is finally finding his feet at Anfield, Liverpool may have just found one of the most important pieces of their season.

Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool

Isak 6’, 9’

Liverpool’s first Premier League win under Andoni Iraola.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Now that’s more like it.

Liverpool lead Ipswich 2-0 at half-time at Portman Road, and Alexander Isak has provided exactly the kind of performance the Reds desperately needed.

The £125 million striker has scored twice inside the opening nine minutes, putting Liverpool firmly in control after an explosive start.

And there is another player who deserves huge credit.

Cody Gakpo assisted both goals.

Isak has arrived

This is the Alexander Isak Liverpool supporters have been waiting to see.

After a frustrating opening two league games, Isak has come flying out of the blocks tonight.

Two goals.

Nine minutes.

And suddenly the confidence is back.

His first two goals came from excellent Liverpool attacking play, with Gakpo involved in both.

This is exactly why Liverpool spent so heavily to bring Isak to Anfield.

Give him the service and let him attack the box.

He can be devastating.

Gakpo has been outstanding

I said before the game that I didn’t want Liverpool to sell Cody Gakpo.

Tonight is another reminder why.

Two assists.

Gakpo has been directly involved in both of Isak’s goals and has looked dangerous from the start.

Liverpool need players who can create opportunities for their £125m striker.

Gakpo is doing exactly that.

And if this continues, the partnership between Gakpo and Isak could become hugely important for Iraola.

Liverpool finally started quickly

This is another major positive.

Liverpool had failed to lead at any point during their opening two Premier League games.

Tonight, they were 2-0 up inside nine minutes.

That’s the response Iraola would have wanted.

There has been greater intensity, quicker attacking play and much more threat in the final third.

Ipswich simply couldn’t cope with Liverpool’s start.

But don’t switch off

Despite the fantastic opening, Liverpool still have another 45 minutes to play.

Ipswich have shown flashes of threat and will know that scoring the next goal could completely change the atmosphere inside Portman Road.

Liverpool need to stay professional.

Don’t give Ipswich a way back into the game.

Don’t become complacent.

And, most importantly, don’t start defending too deep.

Araújo making his mark

Ronald Araújo’s first Liverpool start has also been interesting.

The decision to bring him into the team at right-back was one of the biggest talking points before kick-off.

His defensive qualities give Liverpool a different balance to Frimpong.

With Liverpool already two goals ahead, Araújo’s ability to defend could become even more important in the second half.

And then there’s Barcola…

Let’s not forget about him.

Bradley Barcola is sitting on the Liverpool bench.

Imagine being Ipswich right now.

You’ve conceded twice in the first nine minutes.

You’ve somehow managed to survive the rest of the half without conceding again.

And then Liverpool can potentially bring on a £123m French winger in the second half.

That is some weapon to have waiting.

I wouldn’t rush him onto the pitch if Liverpool are comfortable.

But if Ipswich start pushing forward and spaces open up?

Barcola could have a field day.

Liverpool need to finish the job

This is the best Liverpool have looked in the opening three games.

The scoreline reflects the start they’ve made.

But the job isn’t finished.

I want Liverpool to come out for the second half with the same mentality.

Keep attacking.

Keep creating.

Get Isak involved.

And if the opportunity arrives, go looking for a third.

Because a clean sheet and three points would be the perfect response to those two opening draws.

Is this the Isak we’ve been waiting for?

Maybe.

One half doesn’t suddenly erase everything that happened before it.

But two goals inside nine minutes is a pretty good way to announce yourself.

And if Isak continues like this, Liverpool supporters could have a lot to get excited about this season.

Isak is firing.

Gakpo is creating.

Liverpool are 2-0 up.

Now let’s finish the job.

Come on Liverpool! 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

The Liverpool team to face Ipswich has been confirmed — and Andoni Iraola has made one very interesting change.

The Reds travel to Portman Road tonight looking for their first Premier League win of the season after back-to-back 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

And there is plenty to talk about in this Liverpool XI.

Liverpool’s confirmed XI

Alisson

Ronald Araújo — Virgil van Dijk — Jérémy Jacquet — Milos Kerkez

Alexis Mac Allister — Dominik Szoboszlai

Victor Muñoz — Florian Wirtz — Cody Gakpo

Alexander Isak

Subs:

Mamardashvili, Endo, Tsimikas, Barcola, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Koumas, Ngumoha

Araújo starts at right-back

This is the biggest talking point for me.

Ronald Araújo starts at right-back.

Jeremie Frimpong drops to the bench after starting Liverpool’s first two Premier League matches.

Iraola has clearly decided that he wants something different from his right-back tonight.

And I understand it.

Liverpool have looked vulnerable defensively during the opening two games, particularly when possession has been lost.

Araújo gives Liverpool a much more defensive-minded option.

He can defend.

He can compete physically.

And he can provide cover for the centre-backs.

Tonight could tell us a lot about whether Iraola sees Araújo as a genuine alternative at right-back while Conor Bradley remains unavailable.

Van Dijk and Jacquet continue

There is no change at centre-back.

Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet keep their places.

Jacquet has had a difficult introduction to English football, but giving him another start makes sense.

He needs minutes.

He needs consistency.

And he needs to build an understanding with Van Dijk.

Hopefully we see a more assured performance from the youngster tonight.

Kerkez gets another chance

Milos Kerkez keeps his place at left-back.

There have been questions about his decision-making during the opening games, but this is exactly why players need time to settle into a new team.

Iraola clearly still trusts him.

Now Kerkez needs to repay that faith.

Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in midfield

I really like this midfield.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai should provide Liverpool with a good mixture of technical quality, energy and control.

But the balance has to be right.

Liverpool cannot afford to become too open again.

Ipswich will be looking for opportunities on the counter, and Liverpool’s midfield has to protect the defence when possession is lost.

If Mac Allister and Szoboszlai can control the game, Liverpool should have enough quality to dominate.

Wirtz has a huge role to play

Florian Wirtz starts again.

And tonight could be a big game for him.

Liverpool need Wirtz to find those spaces between the lines and connect midfield with attack.

Most importantly, he needs to get closer to Alexander Isak.

The £125m striker cannot be left isolated.

If Wirtz can get on the ball around the edge of the Ipswich box, Liverpool should create chances.

Gakpo keeps his place

Cody Gakpo starts again.

And after his performances in the opening games, I think that’s completely deserved.

Gakpo has looked one of Liverpool’s most dangerous attacking players so far.

With Barcola now available, there was always going to be pressure on the Dutchman.

But Gakpo gets the nod tonight.

And I certainly wouldn’t complain about that.

Muñoz starts again

Victor Muñoz also keeps his place.

He has already shown that he can make things happen, and Liverpool need that unpredictability from their wide players.

Muñoz’s pace and movement could be particularly useful against Ipswich.

If he can stretch their defence, it should create more space for Wirtz and Isak.

Isak leads the line

And then there’s Alexander Isak.

This is the player I really want to see get going tonight.

He scored against Nottingham Forest, but his overall involvement was limited.

Liverpool need to get him into the game.

They need to create chances for him.

And they need to give him better service.

Because when Isak gets the right service, we know what he can do.

Barcola is on the bench

And here is the decision everybody has been waiting for.

Bradley Barcola is on the bench.

The £123m signing from Paris Saint-Germain won’t make his Liverpool debut from the start.

But that doesn’t mean we won’t see him.

In fact, I think this could be the perfect situation.

Imagine Liverpool are leading 1-0 or 2-0 with 25 minutes remaining.

Ipswich are tiring.

Then Iraola looks towards the bench.

Barcola comes on.

That could be some introduction.

The French winger hasn’t had a full pre-season with Liverpool, so starting him would have been a big gamble.

Bringing him on later could allow Iraola to manage his minutes while still giving supporters their first glimpse of their huge new signing.

Look at that bench

Liverpool have some serious options available.

Barcola.

Frimpong.

Gravenberch.

Trey Nyoni.

Lewis Koumas.

Rio Ngumoha.

That’s a bench capable of changing a match.

And if Liverpool need more attacking threat in the second half, Iraola has options.

This Liverpool team should be good enough

Let’s be honest.

Liverpool should expect to win this game.

That doesn’t mean Ipswich can be taken lightly.

They have already beaten Sunderland this season and showed plenty of attacking threat despite losing 5-2 to Manchester United.

But Liverpool have considerably more quality.

And after two draws, the pressure is building for Iraola to get that first victory.

No more excuses

Two games.

Two draws.

Four goals conceded.

Four goals scored.

Liverpool have shown plenty of attacking quality but haven’t found the consistency needed to turn performances into victories.

Tonight is another opportunity.

And this XI gives Iraola a chance to address some of the defensive problems we’ve seen.

Araújo at right-back.

Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in midfield.

Wirtz behind Isak.

Gakpo and Muñoz providing the width.

And Barcola waiting in the wings.

Now go and win it

I like this team.

I like the decision to start Araújo.

I understand why Barcola is on the bench.

And I think Liverpool have enough quality to finally get their first three points of the season.

But they need to start quickly.

They need to defend properly.

They need to get Isak involved.

And they need to show the ruthlessness that has been missing during those opening two draws.

The team is confirmed.

Now let’s get that first win.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool might have just found an answer to one of their biggest squad problems — and he was already at the club.

Isaac Mabaya has been promoted to Liverpool’s first-team squad and included in the club’s 25-man Premier League squad for the 2026/27 season.

And with Liverpool failing to sign another specialist right-back before the transfer window closed, it immediately raises an interesting question:

Is Isaac Mabaya about to become Liverpool’s new right-back?

I’m certainly not saying he’s ready to walk straight into the team every week.

But this is a development worth watching.

Liverpool needed another right-back

This has been one of my biggest frustrations with Liverpool’s transfer window.

Conor Bradley remains unavailable, while Jeremie Frimpong hasn’t exactly convinced everyone during the opening games of the season.

Liverpool looked vulnerable in that position during the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.

The club were linked with several possible solutions during the summer, but ultimately no specialist right-back arrived.

Instead, Andoni Iraola has had to look at versatility.

Dominik Szoboszlai can play there.

Joe Gomez can cover the position when fit.

Ronald Araújo can also provide defensive versatility.

And now there’s another option.

Isaac Mabaya.

Who is Isaac Mabaya?

Mabaya has been with Liverpool since he was six years old.

The club’s academy profile describes him as a player capable of operating at right-back or in midfield, and he made his senior Liverpool debut against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup in February 2025.

His development hasn’t been completely straightforward.

Injuries have interrupted his progress, including a period that limited his playing time during the 2022/23 campaign.

He subsequently spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic before returning to Liverpool.

Now he’s back.

And he’s back in the first-team picture.

He’s already fit and playing

This is one of the most encouraging parts of the story.

Mabaya has been playing regularly for Liverpool’s Under-21s and started both of their opening games of the season, according to This Is Anfield.

That means he’s not simply being promoted because Liverpool have run out of options.

He’s actually getting minutes.

He’s getting match fitness.

And he’s putting himself in a position where Iraola can take a closer look.

That’s important.

Could Iraola trust him?

This is where things become really interesting.

Iraola has already spoken about the importance of versatility within his squad.

With Bradley injured, the manager has previously explained that he values Szoboszlai’s ability to operate at right-back and sees versatility as something that can help Liverpool deal with injuries.

Mabaya offers another form of that versatility.

He can play right-back.

He can play in midfield.

And unlike moving one of Liverpool’s established midfielders into defence, using Mabaya at right-back wouldn’t take Szoboszlai away from midfield.

That could be a significant advantage.

Liverpool might have nothing to lose

I’m not suggesting Mabaya should suddenly become Liverpool’s first-choice right-back.

That would be unfair on the player.

But if Frimpong continues to struggle and Bradley isn’t ready, why shouldn’t Mabaya get an opportunity?

He’s already been around the first team.

He’s already made his senior debut.

And he’s now officially part of Liverpool’s Premier League squad.

Sometimes circumstances create opportunities that nobody expected.

This could be one of those moments.

Imagine the opportunity

Imagine you’re Isaac Mabaya.

You’ve come through Liverpool’s academy.

You’ve had injuries interrupt your progress.

You’ve gone out on loan.

You’ve come back.

And suddenly Liverpool have a problem at right-back.

The door is open.

That doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to walk through it.

But it’s there.

Now it’s about whether Mabaya can convince Iraola that he’s ready.

Is this Liverpool’s answer until Bradley returns?

That’s probably the more realistic question.

Liverpool don’t necessarily need Mabaya to become their long-term right-back overnight.

They may simply need somebody who can provide reliable cover until Bradley returns.

If Mabaya can do that, his promotion could become extremely important.

And if he performs well enough, perhaps he gives Iraola a genuine selection headache.

That’s exactly what you want from an academy player.

Liverpool’s academy keeps producing options

This is another reason why I’m excited about what’s happening at Liverpool.

The club have invested heavily in the first team this summer, but the academy remains hugely important.

Rio Ngumoha is pushing towards senior football.

Lewis Koumas has been promoted.

Young players such as Trey Nyoni continue to develop.

And now Mabaya is back in the senior squad.

Not every academy player will make it.

That’s football.

But Liverpool need to keep giving the best ones opportunities.

And Mabaya now has one.

Don’t expect miracles

I think it’s important that supporters don’t put too much pressure on him.

Mabaya has made only a small number of senior appearances.

He isn’t Trent Alexander-Arnold.

He doesn’t need to be.

He doesn’t need to replace anybody.

He simply needs to show Iraola what he can do.

Give him an opportunity.

See how he handles Premier League football.

Then make a decision.

That’s how young players should be developed.

Could this be a surprise story of the season?

That’s what makes this so interesting.

At the start of the summer, nobody would have expected Isaac Mabaya to be one of the names discussed when talking about Liverpool’s right-back options.

But circumstances have changed.

Bradley is injured.

Liverpool didn’t sign another specialist right-back.

Frimpong has questions to answer.

And Mabaya is now in the Premier League squad.

Liverpool’s official squad list confirms his inclusion among the club’s homegrown players for the season.

The opportunity is there.

Is Isaac Mabaya Liverpool’s new right-back?

Maybe.

I’m certainly not ready to declare that he’s Liverpool’s long-term solution.

But I am ready to say that this is a player Liverpool supporters should be watching.

He’s been at the club since he was six.

He’s already made his senior debut.

He’s back playing regularly.

He’s versatile.

And now he’s officially part of Iraola’s Premier League squad.

If Liverpool’s right-back problems continue, Mabaya could get his chance sooner than anybody expected.

And who knows?

Sometimes football gives you an answer you weren’t expecting.

Liverpool spent the summer looking for another right-back.

Maybe the next one was already at Kirkby.

Remember the name: Isaac Mabaya.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool travel to Ipswich tonight looking for their first Premier League win of the season.

Two games.

Two 2-2 draws.

And now Andoni Iraola has another decision to make.

Who should start at Portman Road?

There are a few positions where I think the manager has genuine choices, but if I was picking the Liverpool team tonight, there is one player I would definitely want to see from the start:

Bradley Barcola.

Goalkeeper — Alisson

No debate for me.

Alisson starts.

He hasn’t had the perfect opening to the season, but he remains Liverpool’s number one and one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

This isn’t the game to start making unnecessary changes.

Right-back — Jeremie Frimpong

This is one of the positions I’m least comfortable with.

Liverpool didn’t sign another specialist right-back before the deadline, while Conor Bradley remains unavailable.

I would therefore stick with Jeremie Frimpong.

He needs to improve after a difficult opening to the season, but he has the attacking qualities to cause Ipswich problems.

I’d want him to play with more discipline tonight, though.

No unnecessary risks.

No switching off defensively.

Centre-back — Jérémy Jacquet

One of the positives from Liverpool’s opening two games has been Jérémy Jacquet.

The young defender has looked composed and comfortable in possession.

I’d keep him in.

He deserves the opportunity to build a partnership with Virgil van Dijk.

Centre-back — Virgil van Dijk

The captain stays.

Liverpool need his leadership tonight, particularly with a relatively inexperienced defender alongside him.

I’d expect Van Dijk to take responsibility for organising the defensive line and making sure Liverpool don’t give Ipswich cheap opportunities.

Left-back — Milos Kerkez

I’d stick with Milos Kerkez as well.

I know there have been questions about his start to life at Liverpool, but constantly changing the defence isn’t going to help.

Kerkez needs confidence.

He needs minutes.

And he needs to understand exactly what Iraola expects from him.

Tonight is another opportunity to show it.

Midfield — Alexis Mac Allister

This is where I would make sure Liverpool have enough control.

Alexis Mac Allister starts for me.

I want him involved in the build-up and helping Liverpool control the tempo.

Against Ipswich, Liverpool should be able to dominate possession, but they need to turn that possession into control.

Mac Allister can help with that.

Midfield — Dominik Szoboszlai

I’d keep Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield.

There has been plenty of discussion about using him at right-back because of Conor Bradley’s injury.

I understand why.

But for me, Szoboszlai is far more valuable in midfield.

His energy, physicality and ability to arrive in the final third are important to Liverpool.

I’d rather find another solution at right-back.

No.10 — Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz starts.

Absolutely.

This is the type of game where I want him receiving the ball between the lines.

Ipswich will probably spend periods defending deeply, so Liverpool need somebody capable of unlocking that defence.

Wirtz can do that.

But I want him to be more involved tonight.

He has enormous ability.

Now we need to see it consistently.

Right wing — Victor Muñoz

This is probably the most interesting decision.

I’d start Victor Muñoz on the right.

He’s already shown that he can make things happen.

He won the penalty against Newcastle and scored a brilliant goal against Nottingham Forest.

He’s direct.

He runs.

And he gives Liverpool energy.

I don’t think he should be expected to become Liverpool’s long-term answer on the right wing, but for tonight, I’d give him another opportunity.

Left wing — Bradley Barcola

This is the big one.

I’d start Bradley Barcola.

Yes, he hasn’t had a proper pre-season with Liverpool.

Yes, Iraola may decide that introducing him gradually is the sensible option.

But if I’m picking the team, I want him on the pitch.

Liverpool need pace.

They need somebody who can beat a defender.

They need somebody who can attack space.

And they need somebody who can make opponents turn and run towards their own goal.

Barcola gives Liverpool that.

His arrival was one of the biggest stories of the transfer window, and tonight would be the perfect opportunity to get a first look at what he can bring.

Striker — Alexander Isak

And obviously…

Alexander Isak starts.

I don’t care that he hasn’t been heavily involved enough in the opening games.

That’s precisely why he needs to play.

Liverpool need to get him into the game.

Give him the ball.

Get runners around him.

Put crosses into dangerous areas.

Make him the focal point.

I don’t want Isak dropping deeper and deeper because he’s desperate to get involved.

I want Liverpool creating chances for him.

So this would be my Liverpool XI

Alisson

Frimpong — Jacquet — Van Dijk — Kerkez

Mac Allister — Szoboszlai

Muñoz — Wirtz — Barcola

Isak

That’s the team I’d pick.

👀 And I’d have Gakpo ready

One of the difficult decisions is Cody Gakpo.

He’s already scored and assisted this season and was one of Liverpool’s better players against Newcastle.

So leaving him out isn’t easy.

But that’s exactly what you want.

Competition.

If Barcola starts and isn’t quite ready for 90 minutes, Gakpo is an outstanding option to bring on.

And if Liverpool need a goal late in the game, having Gakpo coming off the bench could be a huge advantage.

What I want to see tonight

More than anything, I want Liverpool to be faster.

Faster passing.

Faster movement.

More runners.

More attacking intent.

The biggest frustration from the opening games has been watching Liverpool have possession without always making enough happen with it.

Tonight should be different.

I want Wirtz getting on the ball.

I want Barcola running at defenders.

I want Muñoz attacking space.

I want Szoboszlai arriving from midfield.

And I want Isak getting chances.

But don’t forget the defence

I’m not expecting a perfect performance.

Liverpool still have questions at right-back.

They still need to show greater midfield balance.

And they have conceded four goals in their opening two league games.

So I don’t want them becoming too open simply because they’re playing a newly promoted side.

Control the game first.

Then go and win it.

My prediction

I’m expecting Liverpool to finally get their first Premier League victory of the season.

If they play anywhere near their potential, they should have too much quality for Ipswich.

And I’m particularly excited to see what Barcola can do.

Time for Liverpool to get moving

Two draws isn’t the end of the world.

But Liverpool cannot keep dropping points in games where they should be collecting three.

Tonight is an opportunity to put that right.

I want to see the new signing.

I want to see Isak get more service.

I want to see Wirtz influence the game.

I want to see the midfield control proceedings.

And, most importantly…

I want to see Liverpool win.

My team is:

Alisson

Frimpong — Jacquet — Van Dijk — Kerkez

Mac Allister — Szoboszlai

Muñoz — Wirtz — Barcola

Isak

Now let’s see what Iraola goes with.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

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Liverpool appear to have taken another important step towards securing the future of Rio Ngumoha.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have agreed a new contract in principle with the 18-year-old winger, with the club now moving towards a formal announcement.

And considering the calibre of clubs reportedly watching Ngumoha, this could be a hugely important piece of business for the Reds.

Liverpool are keeping hold of Ngumoha

TEAMtalk reports that Ngumoha is set to receive improved terms after making it clear that his immediate future remains at Liverpool.

The agreement is reportedly already in place in principle, with only the finer details needing to be completed before the youngster formally signs.

That is obviously excellent news for Liverpool.

The club have spent the last couple of years developing Ngumoha and clearly believe he has a significant future at Anfield.

Now they appear to be making sure that future remains in their hands.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were interested

This is what makes the story particularly encouraging.

Ngumoha isn’t simply a promising academy player attracting interest from a couple of Premier League clubs.

According to TEAMtalk, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all shown interest in the winger.

Those are three of the biggest clubs in European football.

For Liverpool to have Ngumoha commit his immediate future to Anfield despite that level of interest is a major positive.

It also tells us something about how highly the youngster appears to rate his chances of developing at Liverpool.

Liverpool have seen what Ngumoha can do

There is a reason why so many clubs have been monitoring him.

Ngumoha has been regarded as one of the most exciting young talents to come through Liverpool since arriving from Chelsea in 2024.

He’s already been exposed to first-team football and has shown that he isn’t intimidated by playing alongside established Premier League players.

And that’s important.

There’s a massive difference between being talented at academy level and showing that you can handle senior football.

Ngumoha has already started taking those steps.

Barcola’s arrival makes this even more interesting

There is another interesting angle to this.

Liverpool have just signed Bradley Barcola in a huge deal from Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcola’s arrival means competition for places in the attacking positions has increased significantly.

That could potentially make life more difficult for Ngumoha in the short term.

But it could also be exactly what he needs.

If Ngumoha wants to become a top-level winger, training every day alongside players of Barcola’s quality can only help his development.

And Andoni Iraola now has another exciting young attacker to work with.

Liverpool shouldn’t rush him

This is something I think is particularly important.

Liverpool supporters are understandably excited whenever an academy player shows serious potential.

But Ngumoha is still only 18.

He doesn’t need to be thrown into 40 games this season.

He needs the right balance of first-team opportunities, training with senior players and continued development.

Iraola can gradually introduce him into the team without placing enormous pressure on his shoulders.

If Ngumoha gets opportunities in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups, he can continue developing without having to carry the weight of expectation.

The timing is excellent for Liverpool

Liverpool’s decision to secure Ngumoha’s future also fits into the wider strategy of building a younger squad.

The club have invested heavily in established stars such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Barcola, but they also need to develop the next generation.

Ngumoha can potentially become part of that.

The fact that Liverpool are reportedly improving his contract rather than allowing uncertainty over his future to continue is exactly what supporters will want to see.

This could become a very important contract

Nobody knows how good Ngumoha can ultimately become.

That’s the reality with young players.

But Liverpool don’t need to know that with absolute certainty right now.

They simply need to recognise the potential and make sure they give themselves the best possible chance of benefiting from it.

Imagine Ngumoha developing over the next three or four years.

Imagine Barcola on one side.

Ngumoha competing for opportunities.

Victor Muñoz also pushing for minutes.

Liverpool could potentially have some serious young attacking talent developing together.

Another reason to be excited about Liverpool’s academy

Liverpool have always had a proud tradition of producing their own players.

From Steven Gerrard to Trent Alexander-Arnold, the club have shown that academy graduates can become hugely important members of the first team.

Ngumoha obviously has a long way to go before he can be mentioned alongside those names.

But the potential is there.

And Liverpool appear determined to give him the opportunity to fulfil it at Anfield.

Liverpool have made their intentions clear

The formal announcement still needs to come.

But if TEAMtalk’s report is correct, the most important part has already happened.

Rio Ngumoha wants to stay at Liverpool.

Liverpool want to keep him.

And the two sides have reportedly reached an agreement in principle on a new contract.

With Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich among the clubs said to have shown interest, Liverpool can be extremely happy with that development.

The Reds have already made a huge statement by signing Barcola.

Now they could be protecting another potentially special attacking talent.

Rio Ngumoha is staying at Liverpool.

And for me, that’s another reason to be excited about the future of this football club. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)

Liverpool return to Premier League action tonight knowing that nothing less than a win will really do.

Andoni Iraola is still waiting for his first Premier League victory as Liverpool manager after two frustrating 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

Now the Reds travel to Portman Road to face newly promoted Ipswich Town.

On paper, this is exactly the kind of fixture Liverpool should be winning.

But after the opening two games, I don’t think anyone connected with Liverpool will be taking this one lightly.

Liverpool need to turn performances into points

There have been positive moments during Iraola’s first two league games.

Liverpool have scored four goals.

They have shown character to come from behind.

But they have also conceded four goals and failed to win either match.

That simply has to change.

Iraola himself has made it clear that Liverpool need their first victory, while the manager has backed his squad following the closure of the transfer window.

Tonight feels like an important opportunity to start building some momentum.

Liverpool cannot afford another game where they dominate possession but fail to control the opposition.

Bradley Barcola could make his Liverpool debut

The biggest talking point before kick-off is obviously Bradley Barcola.

Liverpool finally completed the French winger’s signing from Paris Saint-Germain before the transfer deadline, and he is available for selection against Ipswich.

Reports suggest he could make his debut tonight, although whether Iraola throws him straight into the starting XI remains to be seen.

Personally, I would love to see him start.

Liverpool have been missing pace and unpredictability in the attacking areas, particularly during the difficult moments against Newcastle and Forest.

Barcola could provide exactly that.

He’s capable of taking players on, attacking space and stretching defences.

And imagine giving Alexander Isak a player like that alongside him.

Isak needs more service

This is another area I’m watching closely.

Alexander Isak has not had the easiest start to life at Liverpool.

But I’m not blaming the striker.

Against Nottingham Forest, Isak had just 13 touches.

That tells you something.

A striker of Isak’s quality cannot be expected to influence games when he’s barely involved.

Liverpool need to get him into the game.

They need runners around him.

They need better delivery from wide areas.

And they need to create situations where Isak can attack the penalty area rather than constantly dropping deeper looking for the ball.

That’s another reason why Barcola could be so important.

Wirtz needs to find his rhythm

Florian Wirtz is another player I expect to improve.

The German has enormous ability, but the opening games haven’t produced the influence Liverpool supporters were hoping for.

That’s partly down to the way the team has played.

If Liverpool can move the ball quicker tonight and create more space between Ipswich’s defensive and midfield lines, Wirtz should have more opportunities to influence the game.

I would also like to see more movement around him.

Wirtz is at his best when he has options.

Barcola’s pace could potentially give him another.

The midfield remains a concern

This is the part of the team I’m still worried about.

Liverpool decided not to sign another midfielder before the deadline, despite plenty of debate surrounding the position.

Iraola has insisted that he has good numbers in midfield and that finding the right combinations is now part of his job as a coach.

That’s fair.

But we saw against Newcastle and Forest that Liverpool can look vulnerable when possession breaks down.

Tonight will be another test.

I want to see Liverpool control the midfield rather than simply dominate the ball.

There’s a difference.

What happens at right-back?

The right-back position is another area I’ll be watching closely.

Conor Bradley remains unavailable, meaning Iraola has limited options.

Dominik Szoboszlai has already shown that he can operate there, while Jeremie Frimpong is another possibility.

Iraola has spoken positively about Szoboszlai’s versatility and explained that having players capable of covering different positions helps the team deal with injuries.

But I still don’t want Szoboszlai becoming a permanent right-back.

Liverpool need his energy and quality in midfield.

Tonight, however, the priority is getting the three points.

Don’t underestimate Ipswich

Ipswich have already shown that they can be dangerous.

They began the campaign with a victory over Sunderland before suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat against Manchester United.

Gary O’Neil’s side will know that Liverpool have weaknesses to exploit.

And Portman Road should provide a lively atmosphere.

Liverpool therefore have to start quickly.

They cannot allow Ipswich to grow into the match.

They cannot give them confidence.

And they certainly cannot make the individual mistakes we’ve seen during the opening two matches.

This could be the perfect game for Barcola

There is another reason I’m particularly interested in Barcola tonight.

Ipswich are unlikely to simply sit back for 90 minutes.

There should be opportunities to attack space.

That’s exactly the type of situation where Barcola can be dangerous.

If he comes on from the bench, he could potentially have an even greater impact against tiring defenders.

Either way, his arrival gives Iraola another weapon.

And after spending so much money to bring him to Liverpool, supporters will understandably be desperate to see what he can do.

Liverpool have to win

This isn’t about putting unnecessary pressure on the manager after two games.

It’s about expectations.

Liverpool should be beating newly promoted Ipswich.

They have the better squad.

They have the better individual players.

And after two consecutive draws, they need to turn that quality into a result.

A convincing performance would be even better.

I’d love to see Liverpool score early, control the game and avoid another nervous second half.

For once, I’d like to watch the final few minutes without worrying about another late equaliser.

My prediction

I think Liverpool will finally get their first Premier League win under Iraola.

I’m expecting a much better attacking performance, particularly with Barcola available.

Ipswich 1-3 Liverpool.

I can see Isak getting on the scoresheet, and I’m backing Barcola to make an impact if he gets the opportunity.

Most importantly, though, I want to see Liverpool look like a team that has learned from those opening two games.

Time to get our season moving

Two draws aren’t a disaster.

But Liverpool cannot keep dropping points against teams they should be beating.

Tonight is about more than simply adding three points to the table.

It’s about confidence.

It’s about giving Iraola his first Premier League victory.

It’s about getting Isak involved.

It’s about giving Wirtz the platform to perform.

And perhaps most excitingly of all…

it’s about seeing what Bradley Barcola can bring to Liverpool.

The transfer window is finally closed.

There are no more excuses about players coming in.

This is Iraola’s squad now.

And tonight, Liverpool need to show us what it can do.

Jamie (The Kopite View)

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Lamine Camara to Liverpool? This could be getting very interesting.

According to an exclusive developing report from Indykaila News, the Monaco midfielder has agreed personal terms with Liverpool following the collapse of his proposed move to Chelsea.

The report claims Camara has signed off on a five-year contract with Liverpool, matching the terms that had previously been agreed with Chelsea.

And if that proves to be accurate, Liverpool may have already taken a major step towards signing one of the midfielders they were unable to land during the summer.

Liverpool have already been linked with Camara

This hasn’t come completely out of nowhere.

Liverpool were interested in Camara during the summer, and reports after Chelsea’s deadline-day move collapsed indicated that the Reds had made their interest clear to Monaco.

Liverpool reportedly told the player to wait, with the possibility of returning for him in a future transfer window.

That made Camara one of the most intriguing names to emerge from the final days of the transfer window.

Chelsea had agreed a deal worth around £47m with Monaco, only for the French club to withdraw from the agreement before the deadline. Sky Sports reported that Monaco ultimately refused to sign the required deal sheet.

Now Liverpool could be looking to take advantage of the situation.

Personal terms reportedly agreed

This is the biggest development in the Indykaila report.

According to the outlet, Camara has agreed a five-year contract with Liverpool.

The report claims those terms mirror the five-year agreement he had already accepted with Chelsea before Monaco pulled the plug on that transfer.

If correct, that would mean a potentially important part of a future Liverpool transfer has already been dealt with.

Of course, this remains an exclusive report which has yet to receive widespread independent confirmation, so I wouldn’t treat the transfer as done just yet.

But it certainly makes the story worth watching.

The transfer fee apparently isn’t the problem

Perhaps even more interestingly, Indykaila claims that the transfer fee with Monaco is not expected to be an issue.

That would be significant.

Chelsea’s proposed deal was reportedly around £47m, although other reports have suggested Monaco could demand closer to £60m after the collapse of the Chelsea agreement.

If Liverpool are genuinely prepared to meet Monaco’s valuation, the situation could become much simpler.

And according to the latest report, Liverpool want Camara to arrive in January.

Why Camara makes sense for Liverpool

I’ve been saying for some time that Liverpool needed another midfielder.

That became even more obvious after the opening games of the season.

Liverpool have quality in midfield, but there are questions about balance and depth, particularly with a long season involving the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.

Camara would offer something different.

He’s athletic, aggressive and capable of contributing defensively while still being comfortable on the ball.

Most importantly, he could give Andoni Iraola another option in an area where Liverpool chose not to make a major addition during the summer.

And that decision is looking increasingly interesting.

👀 Did Liverpool deliberately wait?

This is where the story gets fascinating.

Liverpool didn’t sign Camara before the summer deadline.

Instead, reports indicated that the Reds had made their interest known and were prepared to look at a future move after Chelsea’s deal collapsed.

If Indykaila’s latest report is accurate, Liverpool may have known exactly what they were doing.

Rather than rushing into a deal on deadline day, they could potentially have allowed the situation to develop and then returned for Camara in January.

That would certainly be an interesting piece of transfer planning.

Liverpool could finally get their midfielder

There’s another reason this story will excite Liverpool supporters.

David Ornstein previously reported that if Alexis Mac Allister had left Liverpool, Camara was understood to have been the club’s top choice to replace him.

That doesn’t mean Liverpool will automatically sign Camara if Mac Allister stays.

But it demonstrates how highly the Senegal international has reportedly been regarded internally.

And now there could be an opportunity to bring him to Anfield anyway.

But let’s not call it done yet

This is the important part.

Liverpool have not officially announced an agreement.

Indykaila is reporting that personal terms have been agreed and that work is underway to finalise the remaining details.

That is exciting.

But until Liverpool, Monaco or another highly reliable source confirms the agreement, we should treat it as a developing story rather than a completed transfer.

The situation can still change.

Transfers can collapse for all sorts of reasons, particularly when large fees and multiple parties are involved.

January could be very interesting

Liverpool supporters were frustrated when Camara’s move to Chelsea collapsed and the Reds didn’t immediately bring in another midfielder.

At the time, it looked as though Liverpool had missed another opportunity.

But perhaps the story isn’t finished.

If this latest report is accurate, Liverpool could have positioned themselves to bring Camara to Anfield in January.

And that would completely change the way we look at what happened on deadline day.

The player reportedly wants the move.

Personal terms are allegedly agreed.

The transfer fee isn’t expected to be a major obstacle.

And Liverpool reportedly want the deal completed in January.

Is Lamine Camara finally coming to Liverpool?

There is still a long way to go before we can say that with certainty.

But the latest report is certainly significant.

Liverpool were interested before Chelsea.

They remained interested after Chelsea’s deal collapsed.

They reportedly told Camara to wait.

And now we’re being told that the midfielder has agreed personal terms with Liverpool.

If that proves to be correct, the Reds may have turned a frustrating deadline-day situation into something much more positive.

Lamine Camara could be heading to Anfield in January.

And after everything that happened on deadline day…

this story might have only just begun. 

Jamie (The Kopite View)