Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Ipswich as Bradley Barcola prepares for Reds debut

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Liverpool go in search of their first Premier League win of the season at Portman Road on Friday as they take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town.Andoni Iraola could really do with getting off the mark, and though he will have been hoping to have more reinforcements through the door, the Basque will at least be able to count on the help of Bradley Barcola, who arrived on Monday.Iraola has confirmed that Barcola is available having trained several times with the Reds already, and the big question will be whether the Frenchman is deemed ready to go from the start at Ipswich. Here’s what we think Iraola will decide, along with the rest of Liverpool‘s team to face the Tractor Boys.

Now Bradley Barcola is through the door, would you start him vs Ipswich or is it too soon? 🤔 Bear in mind Liverpool still have Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha as options on the left… Bradley Barcola Defence – Liverpool go unchangedAfter watching them both deliver two poor defensive performances, plenty of Liverpool fans would like to see a change in the back line at Portman Road.However, with options somewhat thin on the ground, we think Iraola will simply pick the same back five he has in both of Liverpool’s Premier League matches so far.That will mean another start for Alisson Becker, with Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet protecting him at centre-back.Full-back is where the biggest questions have been asked so far, but without legitimately good alternatives, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez will likely play again.READ MORE: Liverpool vs Ipswich LIVE | All the updates from Portman RoadMidfield – Mac Allister starts againLiverpool have looked slightly more solid with Alexis Mac Allister in midfield so far this season, and the Argentine deserves to start again here.That will mean bench duty for Ryan Gravenberch, who has not started the campaign in the best fashion.Dominik Szoboszlai was not brilliant against Nottingham Forest either, but the Hungarian is certain to start on Friday.Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz has shown flashes of promise in the two games so far, and he should start at No. 10 again.Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty ImagesAttack – Barcola to make debut from the benchIt must be tempting for Iraola to throw Barcola straight in after his £123m signing, and Ipswich away is a fairly kind fixture as a welcome to the Premier League.However, though he appears to be ready to play, it feels much more likely that Barcola will start from the bench.

It would be a surprise if he does not come on, but the 24-year-old’s Liverpool debut will probably be as a cameo.Iraola started Victor Munoz from the left against Forest, but we’d expect he might shift things again here, keeping the Spaniard and Cody Gakpo as his wing options, with Munoz on the right and Gakpo on the left. Alexander Isak‘s confidence will hopefully have been boosted by getting his first goal of the season last weekend, and the Swede will start his third consecutive match against Ipswich.