Liverpool manager Arne Slot has a tough task ahead of him at Anfield after the superb job done by his predecessor.
Legendary figure Jurgen Klopp has moved on, leaving a huge hole at Liverpool after his lengthy and successful stint at the club.
Slot, who is currently settling in on Merseyside, will be eager to replicate that success as quickly as possible, and will do that both by learning from Klopp but also by putting his own stamp on things.
Finding the right balance may be the key, although he has already been warned by former Premier League striker Darren Bent not to change absolutely everything at his new club.
Getting off to a quick start in the Premier League will help win many sceptical fans over, although the majority of the Anfield faithful should give their new manager plenty of time to settle in.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna reacts to Liverpool fixture
At the same time, however, he cannot afford to let the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal gain an early advantage.
Slot now knows exactly what will arrive in his early tenure at Liverpool, with the 2024/25 Premier League fixtures having just been announced.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp’s best games at Liverpool
And it is a trip to newly-promoted Ipswich Town up first for the Dutchman, with their manager Kieran McKenna delighted with the Portman Road clash, while they have Manchester City away after that.
“Yes, it’s a fantastic start,” McKenna told Sky Sports. “Everyone’s going to be so excited, two of the biggest clubs in world football, home start against Liverpool, it brings it all to life, and it’s an amazing start for us.
“We’re delighted to have a home game first. We know the atmosphere that has been created over the last couple of years in the stadium, and we know that will carry on even more so this year.
“So it’s great to have a home start, to have one of the best teams in the league, for sure, is a big challenge.
“Of course new manager and things like that, but we’re certainly not going to underestimate the scale of the challenges that we’re going to have all season, and certainly Liverpool will be that on the first day.
“But at the same time, it’s great to have a home start. The atmosphere is going to be fantastic. The players will be as ready as they possibly can be, and it’s a game we’ll really look forward to.”
Ipswich chief delighted with Liverpool clash at Portman Road
Ipswich enjoyed a superb season under McKenna last time out, with the Tractor Boys finishing second in the Championship.
They finished on 96 points, just one behind champions Leicester City, with the duo joined by Southampton in returning to the top flight.
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The Foxes and the Saints were away from the Premier League for just one season, while Ipswich have returned to the big time after a 22-year absence.
Leicester City and Southampton will return after one year absences, while Ipswich Town will return after a twenty-two year absence.
It is a very exciting time for the three clubs, who will all want to improve upon the situation last season whereby the newly-promoted trio of Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United, who all lasted just one season back in the Premier League.
Sharing McKenna’s delight at the home meeting with Liverpool is Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton, who said: “It’s suddenly got very real very quickly.
“I think it’s great, not only for the club, but for the town and the wider county and the fan base to be at home for the first game.
“And against one of the biggest football clubs in the world. Kieran is right, we won’t underestimate the size of the challenge, but just eager to get underway.”