Ipswich Town Shows Character Despite Liverpool Defeat

Issa Diop insisted Ipswich Town showed character despite being floored early in their 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool at Portman Road.

Ipswich were rocked inside the opening 10 minutes as Liverpool struck twice, leaving the hosts staring at a long night against one of the league’s heavyweights. The damage was done early, but Diop felt the response said something about the group.

"It's even harder when it's again Liverpool and a top side like that," the defender told BBC Radio Suffolk, reflecting on the brutal start.

The early blows might have broken some sides. Ipswich instead tried to regroup, tighten up and force their way back into the contest, creating chances and at least asking questions of Liverpool after the initial storm.

"The good thing is the response after conceding the second goal was good," Diop said. "We stuck together, we reacted well. We could have done better in different ways. You can always do better when you concede goals so we can work on it this week and we will be ready to face Crystal Palace [at Selhurst Park on Saturday]."

Diop pointed to the mood inside the dressing room and the work being done off the pitch as reasons for optimism, even on the back of defeat.

"We have a good group with good coaching staff so I'm very happy here," he added, already turning his focus to putting things right against Crystal Palace.