Resurgent Ipswich electrify ‘Sleepy Suffolk’ before costly defensive lapses | Paul Hayward
Nothing in tenacious display against Liverpool indicated that promoted side need fear impending humiliation
Alf Ramsey or Bobby Robson would have thought a religious festival had broken out at Portman Road. For a 12.30 kick-off, swarms turned up closer to breakfast time. In the milky August sun many Ipswich fans were like awestruck travellers to an uncharted land.
It was all going beautifully until the promoted team in the tale flipped from upwardly mobile warriors back to being Ipswich, and Liverpool displayed the soft shoe defence-slicing skills you need to be Champions League regulars. Focus frays, the mind tires, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah go to work. The next thing you know, you’re getting a standing ovation for losing 2-0.
