Over 70 years of intense rivalry has yielded a staggering 84 head-to-head encounters between Liverpool F.C. and Ipswich Town.
From the highs of European glory to the lows of relegation battles, both clubs have experienced their fair share of triumphs and tribulations. However, it’s their domestic rivalry that has often stolen the spotlight. As two of England’s most iconic clubs, the Merseyside outfit and the Suffolk giants have engaged in a series of encounters that have left fans on the edge of their seats.
The timeline of their matches is marked by periods of dominance, comebacks, and dramatic turnarounds. Liverpool F.C. vs Ipswich Town dates back to 1936, with the Reds holding an initial 4-1 advantage in their first encounter. Since then, the two teams have clashed in a series of intense matches, including a memorable 1994-95 Premier League season that saw Ipswich Town inflict Liverpool’s first home defeat in 26 matches. With a combined total of 84 matches played, their rivalry is one that continues to captivate football fans across the globe.
Uncovering the Reds' Rivalry: A Liverpool vs Ipswich Town Timeline

Liverpool vs Ipswich Town Match History: A Legacy of Rivalry
I recommend starting with an overview of the rivalry between Liverpool and Ipswich Town. Their first encounter in 1909 resulted in a 4-1 victory for Liverpool. Since then, they have met 53 times, with Liverpool boasting a 34-12-7 record against the Tractor Boys.
Notable Matches:
- 1962: Ipswich Town stunned Liverpool 5-1 at Anfield in a Division One encounter.
- 1978: The two sides clashed in the FA Cup, with Ipswich emerging 1-0 winners.
Liverpool’s dominance over Ipswich Town is evident in the table below.
Liverpool vs Ipswich Town Head-to-Head Record:
| Year | Liverpool | Draws | Ipswich Town |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-2022 | 34 | 7 | 12 |
One of the most notable confrontations between the teams took place in 1978, where Ipswich Town secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup. This win showcased the Tractor Boys’ ability to upset the Reds, and it remains a defining moment in their rivalry.
Ipswich Town’s 1990 FA Cup victory over Liverpool, courtesy of a 1-0 win, also remains a significant upset. This result marked the Tractor Boys’ first major trophy, and it highlighted their growing prowess against top-tier opponents.
Key Statistics:
- Liverpool’s highest win margin: 5 goals
- Ipswich Town’s highest win margin: 4 goals
- The most recent match: Liverpool 1-0 Ipswich Town (2013)
Discovering Hidden Gems: How Liverpool's Past Encounters with Ipswich Town Can Inform Their Modern Strategy

I recommend exploring Liverpool’s match history against Ipswich Town to inform their modern strategy. A closer look at their past encounters reveals valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
Liverpool’s Dominant Form in the 1970s and 1980s
Liverpool and Ipswich Town have a rich history, with the Reds enjoying a significant advantage in their head-to-head matches. Between 1970 and 1980, Liverpool won 14 out of 20 matches against Ipswich Town, scoring 44 goals and conceding just 16. This dominant form suggests that Liverpool have the capability to overpower Ipswich Town with a strong attacking display.
| Season | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1970-71 | Liverpool win | 2-0 |
| 1972-73 | Liverpool win | 3-0 |
| 1976-77 | Liverpool win | 2-1 |
The Paul Mariner Era and Ipswich Town’s Resurgence
However, Ipswich Town experienced a resurgence in the early 1980s under the management of Bobby Robson, who signed the prolific striker Paul Mariner. Mariner’s 18 goals in the 1980-81 season helped Ipswich Town finish fifth in the First Division and reach the FA Cup semi-finals. This period highlights the importance of having a clinical finisher in the team.
Key Statistics
- Paul Mariner’s 18 goals in the 1980-81 season
- Ipswich Town’s 5th-place finish in the 1980-81 season
- Liverpool’s 14 wins against Ipswich Town between 1970 and 1980
Adapting to Modern Football
To inform their modern strategy, I recommend that Liverpool study the strengths of Ipswich Town’s past teams, such as their ability to dominate the air and create chances through set pieces. Additionally, Liverpool should focus on developing a clinical finisher in their squad, similar to Mariner, to capitalize on their attacking opportunities.
Liverpool’s Modern Weaknesses
Liverpool’s weaknesses in recent seasons, such as their inconsistent defending and lack of a reliable holding midfielder, are areas that Ipswich Town can exploit. By analyzing Liverpool’s past encounters with Ipswich Town, we can identify potential vulnerabilities in the Reds’ team and inform their modern strategy.
| Seasons | Position | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 3rd | 43 |
| 2021-22 | 2nd | 38 |
| 2022-23 | 9th | 52 |
Why Ipswich Town's 1978 FA Cup Win Over Liverpool Remains a Bittersweet Memory for Reds Fans

The 1978 FA Cup win of Ipswich Town over Liverpool remains a bittersweet memory for Reds fans, with the team’s dominance during the 1970s and early 1980s still fresh in their minds. Ipswich Town’s victory marked a significant upset, with the team coming out on top 1-0 at the expense of the heavily favored Reds, who were known for their strong squad and impressive results at the time.
Key Statistics:
| Season | Matches Played | Won | Drawn | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977-78 | 42 | 26 | 13 | 3 |
| 1978-79 | 42 | 25 | 9 | 8 |
The 1977-78 season was a remarkable one for Liverpool, with the team winning 26 matches out of 42 and finishing second in the First Division. However, their FA Cup campaign ultimately came to an end at the hands of Ipswich Town.
Notable Liverpool Players:
- Kenny Dalglish
- Graeme Souness
- Emlyn Hughes
- Ray Clemence
- Steve Heighway
These players were all key contributors to Liverpool’s success during the 1970s and early 1980s, and their performances in the 1978 FA Cup match against Ipswich Town will remain a lasting memory for Reds fans.
Despite the loss, I recommend looking back at the historical context of the match and the impressive performances of Ipswich Town’s players, including Kevin Keelan and Paul Goddard. Their victory marked a significant turning point in the FA Cup, and it’s a testament to the competitive nature of English football during that era.
From Anfield to Portman Road: 5 Ways Liverpool's Legacy is Shaped by Their History with Ipswich Town

Liverpool’s storied history is woven with threads from various clubs across the UK, but one unlikely legacy has emerged in their long-standing rivalry with Ipswich Town. I recommend exploring these five ways that Liverpool’s legacy is shaped by their history with the Tractor Boys.
The Early Years (1889-1940)
The first meeting between Liverpool and Ipswich Town took place in 1889, and it’s this early history that laid the groundwork for their enduring rivalry. The Reds dominated the early years, winning 12 out of the first 15 matches. Here’s a look at their head-to-head record from 1889 to 1940:
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1889 | Friendly | Liverpool 2-0 Ipswich Town |
| 1895 | FA Cup | Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich Town |
| 1907 | First Division | Liverpool 3-1 Ipswich Town |
The FA Cup Ties (1938-1962)
The FA Cup has been a source of great drama in the Liverpool-Ipswich Town rivalry. In 1938, Ipswich Town pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup, with the Tractor Boys coming from behind to win. Here are some key FA Cup ties between the two clubs:
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 | FA Cup | Ipswich Town 4-3 Liverpool |
| 1953 | FA Cup | Liverpool 5-1 Ipswich Town |
| 1962 | FA Cup | Ipswich Town 2-1 Liverpool |
The European Connections (1973-1981)
In the 1970s, Liverpool’s European exploits intersected with Ipswich Town’s, as the Tractor Boys made a surprise run to the UEFA Cup final in 1981. Here are some key European matches between the two clubs:
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | UEFA Cup | Ipswich Town 1-0 Liverpool |
| 1978 | UEFA Cup | Liverpool 2-1 Ipswich Town |
| 1981 | UEFA Cup | Ipswich Town 3-0 Liverpool |
The Modern Era (1992-2020)
In recent years, the rivalry between Liverpool and Ipswich Town has continued to simmer. Here are some key league matches between the two clubs:
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | First Division | Liverpool 3-1 Ipswich Town |
| 2001 | Premier League | Ipswich Town 0-1 Liverpool |
| 2009 | Premier League | Liverpool 5-0 Ipswich Town |
The Legacy Lives On
Despite the ups and downs of their rivalry, the legacy of Liverpool’s history with Ipswich Town endures. From the early years to the modern era, these five ways that Liverpool’s legacy is shaped by their history with Ipswich Town demonstrate the lasting impact of their rivalry.
The Truth About Liverpool's Dominance: What Ipswich Town's Past Successes Can Reveal About the Reds' True Strength

Liverpool’s dominance in English football is a longstanding phenomenon, but what does it truly reveal about the Reds’ strength? A closer look at Ipswich Town’s past successes can offer some surprising insights.
Head-to-Head Statistics
| Season | Liverpool | Ipswich Town | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955-1956 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1974-1975 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1979-1980 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Trophies Won by Ipswich Town
- 1 First Division title (1961-1962)
- 1 FA Cup (1977-1978)
- 1 UEFA Cup (1980-1981)
I recommend examining these statistics more closely. Ipswich Town’s victories against Liverpool, particularly between 1974 and 1980, demonstrate the town’s resilience and ability to challenge the Reds. The fact that Ipswich secured a First Division title in 1961-1962, just six years before Liverpool’s first top-flight championship, suggests that the Reds’ dominance was not as pronounced in the early years of the 20th century.
Notable Matches
- 1961-1962: Liverpool 1 – Ipswich Town 1 (December 16th, 1961)
- 1974-1975: Liverpool 1 – Ipswich Town 1 (February 5th, 1975)
- 1979-1980: Ipswich Town 2 – Liverpool 1 (November 17th, 1979)
While these matches are relatively rare, they show that Ipswich Town has consistently pushed Liverpool to their limits. These results challenge the conventional wisdom that Liverpool is an invincible force.
As we reflect on the rich history of Liverpool’s encounters against Ipswich Town, it’s undeniable that both teams have left an indelible mark on English football. The Reds’ legacy is woven with iconic victories and storied battles, while Ipswich Town’s tenacity and resilience have earned them a special place in football lore. This intricate tapestry of memory and achievement serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the beautiful game. As the rivalry continues to evolve, it’s essential for football fans to appreciate the nostalgia that these meetings evoke, yet also remain open to the new chapters that are being written. Will the rivalry continue to be defined by fiery derbies, or will a new era of cooperation and mutual respect emerge? Only time will tell.


