Written by Aaron Conlan
Saturday’s midday kick-off marks the beginning of a new era for Liverpool and Dutch Manager Arne Slot as he will take the helm for his first professional game for a club outside his native country, the Netherlands. Liverpool will come up against newly promoted Ipswich Town who return to the top flight for the first time in 22 years, a period which has been a far cry from the European visits and high placing that the Tractor Boys were once accustomed to. Leading Ipswich is Kieran McKenna, who previously had experience as assistant manager for Man Utd.
Ipswich come into the fixture with only 2 losses in their previous 17 professional games and McKenna will be looking to replicate his side’s form from last season in hopes of setting up a shock result at Portman Road. Ipswich have been busy so far this summer, spending around £65million and bringing in seven new players. The Tractor Boys will also be hoping to complete their loan move for Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips in time for him to feature at some point against the Reds.
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Unlike Ipswich, Liverpool have been relatively quiet in the transfer market with a deal with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi falling through at the last minute. The only business from the Reds that seems likely now, is a move for Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Marmardashvili from Valencia who, according to Fabrizio Romano, has “already accepted Liverpool’s plan and contract terms” However this wouldn’t see the Georgian formally join the reds. Consequently, Arne Slot will take over with last season’s squad and with Liverpool being the only side in Europe’s top 5 leagues yet to make a signing. The number 6 role will be a key position of interest for Liverpool fans with Paul Joyce reporting on Liverpool’s faith in Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones’ ability to operate in the position.
With Slot introducing a more possession-controlling style of play with the aim of suffocating the opposition it will be interesting to see the parallel between last season’s football and Saturday Lunch time. Cody Gakpo whilst speaking to the Liverpool website said “I think he’s coming in with a new style of play – more based on ball possession. I think it’s good for the team. Obviously we learned a lot from the previous gaffer as well. I think if you can combine both those qualities they had and tried to give us, we can be an exciting team to watch.”
Throughout pre-season, Slot has deployed a 4-3-3 which appears to have an extreme likeness to 4-2-3-1, although this is something he may dispute, having an average possession of 55% despite playing top opposition such as Arsenal and Man Utd.
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Predicted Lineup:
Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Virgil Van Dijk, Kostas Tsimiskas; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Macalister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz.
With Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson both joining the squad late it should be expected that they start from the bench. Gravenberch seems likely to feature ahead of Wataru Endo as the holding midfielder due to performances in pre-season. It seems probable that Dominik Szoboszlai will feature a little bit further forward than he did last season in an almost “hybrid” role of a number 8 and a number 10. Mo Salah seems destined to start however Jota and Diaz’s places are well up for contention with Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo also being available.
