Florian Wirtz says Liverpool must turn their battling performances into victories when they visit Ipswich Town, after opening the 2026-27 Premier League season with two 2-2 draws.
Arne Slot’s side twice came from behind against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, scoring in the final 10 minutes or in stoppage time to avoid defeat in both matches. However, Wirtz believes Liverpool should be demanding more from themselves than simply salvaging points.
“I’m very disappointed,” Wirtz told Liverpoolfc.com about the Forest draw. “Of course, we demand from ourselves the most.
“We couldn’t take the three points again, that’s why I’m disappointed. We have to keep working on the things we can do better, and we have to get back to winning ways.
“We want more, we don’t want to be proud that we came back into the game after we conceded. We want to be on top of the opponents and want to be better than them and take the wins.”
Liverpool have conceded at least two goals in each of their first two league matches this season. They have conceded two or more goals in their opening three games of a Premier League campaign only once before, when Brendan Rodgers’ first three matches in charge ended that way in 2012-13.
The visit to Ipswich will give Liverpool an opportunity to claim their first league victory of the season, although they arrive on a six-match winless run in the competition. That sequence consists of four draws and two defeats.
Only once previously have Liverpool gone seven or more Premier League matches without winning: an 11-game run between November 2002 and January 2003 under Gerard Houllier.
Ipswich began the campaign with a last-gasp victory over Sunderland but were beaten 5-2 by Manchester United in their most recent match. They took the lead at Old Trafford before a second-half rush of goals turned the game in United’s favour.
The club have continued to strengthen their squad as they attempt to remain in the Premier League, completing the signing of Zian Flemming on deadline day. The Dutch midfielder scored 11 Premier League goals last season.
“I am really proud to sign for Ipswich Town,” Flemming told the club’s website.
“I played in the Premier League last season and really enjoyed my first season at the top level, competing against the best players and teams in the world, so I am delighted to now be back in there with a great club like Ipswich.
“I will give my all every time I step onto the pitch and can’t wait to meet the supporters. The first game is on Friday against Liverpool, which is very soon, and I am excited to get started.”
Players to watch
Abdul Fatawu has made an influential start for Ipswich. Across their opening two Premier League matches, the Ghanaian has created five chances, played nine passes into the box and won 14 duels – more than any other Ipswich player in each category.
Only Julio Enciso, with 178, has applied more pressures than Fatawu’s 120.
For Liverpool, Alexander Isak has an impressive record against Ipswich. He has scored four goals in two Premier League appearances against them, all while playing for Newcastle United in 2024-25.
Three of those goals came in a hat-trick at Portman Road, making Isak the joint-second-highest scorer at the stadium that season, behind only Liam Delap, who scored six.
Liverpool have never lost in six Premier League away matches at Portman Road, winning four and drawing two. It is the most matches they have played at one ground without defeat in the competition.
Ipswich, meanwhile, have lost their past four Premier League meetings with Liverpool across the 2001-02 and 2024-25 seasons. During that run they have scored once and conceded 17 goals.
Liverpool are also unbeaten in their last 20 Premier League matches against promoted teams, recording 15 wins and five draws. The last promoted side to defeat them was Bournemouth, managed by current Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil, in March 2023.
Ipswich will take confidence from their home record. They have not lost any of their past 18 home league games, a sequence made up of 17 Championship matches last season and a 2-1 victory over Sunderland this term.
However, they have not won successive Premier League home fixtures since recording four consecutive victories in December 2001 and January 2002.
