Ray Parlour predicts the score for Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Ipswich Town

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool will want to get off to a winning start as Arne Slot prepares to take charge of his first Premier League game as manager.

The Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp at the helm and has made a positive impression so far, overseeing the Reds to four wins and a draw from their five pre-season games.

Arne Slot will take great encouragement from Liverpool‘s wins against Arsenal and Manchester United in the USA, but he’ll be wary of the fact that the Premier League is a different beast altogether.

Now, Ray Parlour believes Liverpool will get all three points when they travel to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town in their Premier League opener.

Ray Parlour predicts a comfortable win for Liverpool against Ipswich Town

The Arsenal legend believes Portman Road will be absolutely electric as Ipswich town return to the Premier League after a 22-year-old absence.

However, he believes Liverpool will have too much firepower for the newly-promoted side as he predicted a comfortable win with Mohamed Salah getting his name on the scoresheet.

“It’s going to be buzzing. As I have said before, it is the ground you would want to be at lunchtime tomorrow,” Parlour said on talkSPORT (7:43 AM, Aug 16).

“It should be an unbelievable atmosphere at Ipswich, really good to see them back in the big time. But Liverpool go there and it’s a tough first game for Ipswich. I am going to go Liverpool to win. I am going to 2-0 Liverpool. I will go Salah (to score).”

How Liverpool could lineup against Ipswich

Alisson Becker will start between the sticks, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas expected to form the rest of the backline.

Alexis Mac Allister returned late to pre-season owing to his involvement in Argentina’s triumphant Copa America 2024 campaign, but the 25-year-old is likely to start at the heart of the midfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai looked lively in pre-season and should be stationed in an advanced role, but it remains to be seen who completes the midfield for the Reds.

Liverpool failed with an attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi, with the Real Sociedad midfielder opting to stay at his boyhood club despite being tempted by a move to Anfield.

Slot viewed Zubimendi as the perfect number six for his system but will have to contend with the in-house options at his disposal, at least for the time being.

Ryan Gravenberch is likely to get the nod in that position, while the likes of Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are expected to spearhead the attack.

Liverpool began with the same XI against Sevilla in their 4-1 win at Anfield last weekend, which was widely viewed as the dress rehearsal for their Premier League opener.

Barring any last-minute changes owing to injuries, Slot is unlikely to tinker with his XI as he aims to begin on a positive note.