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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