Verdict: Mohamed Salah to score
Best odds: 16/25
Bookmaker: Unibet
Liverpool, yet to taste Premier League victory at Anfield in 2025, will aim to break that streak when they host struggling Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon. Arne Slot’s side return to domestic duties after reaffirming their spot in the Champions League last 16, bringing momentum from European success.
Meanwhile, Ipswich arrive in Merseyside licking their wounds after a humbling 6-0 defeat to Manchester City, leaving Kieran McKenna’s team desperate to find form as they fight to escape the relegation zone.
Liverpool
Liverpool continued their stellar European form on Tuesday, overcoming Lille 2-1 at Anfield to secure top spot in the Champions League league phase and avoid the playoff round. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott—sandwiched around Jonathan David’s equalizer—gave Arne Slot’s men their seventh consecutive European win, needing just a draw against PSV Eindhoven next week to finish as outright league phase leaders.
Domestically, Liverpool extended their Premier League lead to six points last weekend, courtesy of Darwin Núñez’s dramatic late double in a 2-0 triumph over Brentford. That victory also marked their first league win of 2025 and stretched their unbeaten domestic run to 17 matches.
Since their surprise September loss to Nottingham Forest, the Reds have scored at least twice in 14 consecutive home games across all competitions, a streak they are heavily favored to extend when Ipswich visit.
Team News
Curtis Jones’s involvement on Saturday is uncertain after being forced off at halftime during Liverpool’s win over Lille due to a slight injury, while Ryan Gravenberch’s substitution was precautionary. Regardless, Alexis Mac Allister is likely to return to the midfield engine room. Liverpool will certainly be without Diogo Jota (muscle) and Joe Gomez (hamstring) for the weekend.
Following midweek squad rotations, Arne Slot is expected to field a refreshed starting XI against Ipswich, including the likely return of Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward has the chance to join Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie as the only Dutchmen to score in five consecutive Premier League home matches.
Ipswich Town
Anfield may not be their most desired destination, but Ipswich might actually welcome a game away from their Portman Road ground, having suffered consecutive defeats at home against Brighton and Hove Albion (0-2) and Manchester City. These results ended their three-game unbeaten streak and plunged them back into the Premier League relegation zone, trailing Wolverhampton Wanderers in 17th place only on goal difference.
While defensive struggles persist—eight consecutive away matches without a clean sheet—the Tractor Boys have surprisingly claimed 56% of their points on the road this season, a figure bettered only by Crystal Palace (59%).
However, history is not on their side at Anfield, where their last triumph came in December 2000. Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Portman Road in August marked their fourth consecutive win over Ipswich.
Team News
Ipswich Town will be bolstered by the return of Kalvin Phillips, now eligible to feature after missing last weekend’s clash against his parent club, Manchester City. Phillips may replace Sam Morsy in midfield, offering more stability in the center of the park.
Recent injury recoveries have seen Axel Tuanzebe and George Hirst return to action, though key players Sammie Szmodics (ankle), Conor Chaplin (knee), and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) remain unavailable. Additionally, the absences of Jacob Greaves and Luke Woolfenden—who missed the previous game for unspecified reasons—could prove significant.
After a defensive 5-4-1 setup against Manchester City failed to contain Guardiola’s attack, Kieran McKenna is likely to return to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, even against Liverpool. Brighton loanee Julio Enciso, whose arrival was confirmed on Thursday, is an exciting option but may not yet be ready to start.
Conclusion
Ipswich Town have shown resilience away from home, with notable performances against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in North London serving as proof of their tenacity. However, their heavy capitulation against Manchester City, despite an extremely defensive approach, raises serious concerns about their ability to withstand pressure from elite teams.
While fresher legs could give Ipswich a slight edge in energy, Arne Slot’s Liverpool are firing on all cylinders, especially at Anfield, where their attacking form is relentless. It’s hard to envision anything but a dominant display from the Reds, who should comfortably secure another crucial win in their quest for Premier League glory. It’s also difficult to imagine the Premier League’s top scorer failing to hit the back of the net at least once.
Verdict: Mohamed Salah to score
Best odds: 16/25
Bookmaker: Unibet
