Liverpool face Ipswich at Anfield in the Premier League with the hosts looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Arne Slot’s side begin the day six points ahead of Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in a campaign that has seen them stay strong as rivals have faltered. A perfect Champions League record was preserved by victory against Lille in midweek, with a deep squad showing its worth as Slot’s substitutions provide consistent impact.
Their opponents this afternoon are a struggling Ipswich still reeling from a heavy 6-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend – and things don’t get any easier here. Kieran McKenna’s side occupy 18th place in the table, below Wolves on goal difference, in what looks a developing three-way fight to avoid joining Southampton in dropping to the Championship. An upset win here would certainly boost the visitors’ hopes of staving off relegation.
Follow all of the latest from Anfield in our live blog below:
This afternoon’s fixtures
It’s a busy old afternoon of Premier League action, the 3pm window loaded as many would like it to always be. Here’s a reminder of the five games that’ll be up and running in little more than half an hour:
Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 14:25
Andoni Iraola interview: The reluctant coach leading a post-Pep tactical revolution
Bournemouth face Nottingham Forest this afternoon in a meeting of two of the Premier League’s success stories. This week, Miguel Delaney went down to the south coast to meet the man at the heart of a tactical revolution – and find out what makes Andoni Iraola tick:
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 14:15
Virgil van Dijk makes 300th Liverpool appearance
Big day for Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk, who hits the 300-appearance milestone for the club.
In that time, Van Dijk has won 208 games, drawn 47 and lost 44. An incredible record for one of the league’s greatest ever defenders.
Will Castle25 January 2025 14:06
Arne Slot’s dad unimpressed by son’s success
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot may have lost only two matches all season but there are still occasions when he cannot impress his dad.
The Dutchman regularly calls his father Arend after matches but following the 2-1 midweek Champions League win over Lille, which extended their 100 per cent record in the competition to seven matches, Slot senior was not particularly impressed.
It would have been difficult to match the drama of the two goals in stoppage time which secured the Premier League leaders’ victory at Brentford last weekend but Slot’s dad felt the team should have been more adventurous against the Ligue 1 side.
However, Slot, whose remarkable maiden season has seen him win 26 of 33 matches with just one Premier League defeat, said patience will be important as he expects struggling Ipswich to pose a tough test at Anfield.
“It is difficult for fans and my father is a fan as well,” he said.
“When I called him after the game he says, ‘ah, it wasn’t as exciting as other games of Liverpool’ when he watched the game against Lille.
“I had to try to explain to him these games you can easily lose if you are starting to force all kinds of difficult balls but he’s not always agreeing with me then.”
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 14:03
Philogene makes Ipswich debut
Kieran McKenna has handed Jaden Philogene his debut in an Ipswich shirt following his move from Aston Villa earlier this month.
Can the tricky winger help throw a spanner in the works of Liverpool’s title push?
Will Castle25 January 2025 13:56
Liverpool vs Ipswich team news
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Diaz, Salah, Gakpo.
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Danns, Quansah, Bradley.
Ipswich XI: Walton, Burns, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy, Phillips, Hutchinson, Philogene, Delap.
Subs: Muric, Johnson, Godfrey, Townsend, Luongo, Taylor, Broadhead, Enciso, Hirst.
Luke Baker25 January 2025 13:51
Team news on the way…
The XIs are imminent at Anfield. How much rotation will Arne Slot feel he needs?
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 13:40
Kieran McKenna says Ipswich still on the hunt for additions
Kieran McKenna says Ipswich are still in the market to improve their starting XI during the remainder of the January window.
Ipswich signed Julio Enciso on loan from fellow Premier League side Brighton on Thursday.
Manager McKenna insists any further signings will need to improve the starting line-up.
“We’ll have to wait and see. Look, we’ll go to the last day and try to improve the squad in any way possible,” he told reporters.
“We have enough depth in the squad. It’s only if we can add players who we think can have a really big impact on the starting XI or the matchday squad and improve us over the remaining games.
“If we can do that, we’ll do it. If that’s not possible we have good depth, everyone’s on board and everyone’s hungry.”
Harry Latham-Coyle25 January 2025 13:20