Ipswich Town's Resilience After Liverpool Defeat

Issa Diop insists Ipswich Town’s spirit will not be shaken by their bruising start against Liverpool, despite a 2-0 defeat under the Portman Road lights on Friday.

Ipswich were rocked almost immediately, conceding twice inside the opening 10 minutes to a ruthless Liverpool side. The visitors struck early and hard, and for a moment the night threatened to unravel.

It didn’t.

Diop, who had to ride out that storm at the back, admitted the scale of the task when you fall behind so quickly to opposition of that calibre.

"It's even harder when it's again Liverpool and a top side like that," the defender told BBC Radio Suffolk, reflecting on a frantic opening spell that left Ipswich chasing the game almost from kick-off.

The early blows could have broken them. Instead, Ipswich steadied themselves, tightened up, and began to push back. Gary O'Neil’s team refused to disappear, worked their way into the contest and carved out chances of their own as the match settled.

"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]."

That response is what Diop clings to now. Not the scoreline, but the resilience.

With a trip to Crystal Palace looming, there is little time to dwell on Liverpool’s early burst. The defender believes the character shown after that nightmare start can carry them into the weekend.

"We have a good group with good coaching staff so I'm very happy here," he added, backing the dressing room and the dugout to turn defiance into points when they walk out at Selhurst Park on Saturday.