Ipswich Town, a club that was competing in League One just two years ago, has made a remarkable return to the Premier League after back-to-back promotions. For the first time in 22 years, the Tractor Boys are ready to face the stars of England’s top flight. The club has been busy during the off-season, not only upgrading their historic Portman Road stadium to meet Premier League standards but also investing over £50 million in new talent to bolster their squad.
One of the club’s biggest successes this summer was convincing manager Kieran McKenna to stay on. Under his guidance, Ipswich has become a formidable force, particularly at home. The team has lost just one of their last 39 league matches at Portman Road, securing 28 wins and 10 draws. The fans, who have been buzzing with excitement, will be thrilled to kick off their Premier League campaign in front of a home crowd, especially considering Ipswich’s impressive record of starting seasons strongly. It’s been 11 seasons since Ipswich last lost on the opening day, with six wins and four draws in that period.
As Ipswich begins its new journey in the Premier League, they face a daunting challenge in Liverpool, a powerhouse of English football. This match will also mark the start of a new era for Liverpool, with Dutchman Arne Slot taking the reins after Jürgen Klopp ended his illustrious nine-year tenure at the club. Klopp leaves behind a legacy that includes leading Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years and securing a top-four finish in all but one of his eight full seasons.
Liverpool fans are eager to see what Slot brings to the table, though the club made no major signings over the summer. Despite the uncertainty, Liverpool has a strong tradition of starting seasons on the right foot. The Reds haven’t lost on the opening day for 12 years, with eight wins and three draws. Moreover, Liverpool has an excellent record against newly promoted teams, going unbeaten in their last eight matches against such clubs, winning seven and drawing one.
Players to Watch: Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson, whose loan deal was made permanent after a successful spell last season, will be eager to impress in his Premier League debut. Hutchinson has been a key player at Portman Road, scoring six of his last eight goals on home soil. However, his efforts might be overshadowed by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who is chasing a new record. The Egyptian forward is tied with Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard, and Wayne Rooney for the most goals scored on the opening day of the Premier League season (8).
Hot Stat: Liverpool rescued 28 points from losing positions last season, the fourth-best record of its kind in Premier League history.
