Liverpool Without Five Players for Ipswich Clash, Barcola Available for Debut

Liverpool remain without five first-team players for Friday's trip to Ipswich Town, head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed, though new signing Bradley Barcola is available and in line to make his debut.

Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are all still sidelined through injury, with Gomez the closest to a return and expected to resume full training next week, while Leoni and Chiesa are targeting the upcoming international break. Bradley and Ekitike remain further away. Liverpool arrive at Portman Road still searching for their first Premier League win of the season after consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

Ipswich, meanwhile, have received a timely boost of their own. Striker Emersonn, withdrawn at half-time against Manchester United after jarring his knee, has trained fully all week and was confirmed fit by manager Gary O'Neil, who said there are "no concerns" over his recovery. Florentino Luis is also available for the first time this season having overcome a calf issue, giving O'Neil a fresh central-midfield option alongside Marcelino Nunez and Sasa Lukic. Deadline-day signing Zian Flemming, a £20m arrival from Burnley, is also in contention, though Azor Matusiwa, Jack Taylor and Jaden Philogene remain out.

Ipswich sit above Liverpool in the table following their opening-day win over Sunderland, and will look to cause an upset against a Liverpool side yet to find their rhythm this season.