Liverpool led three times against Ipswich Town at Anfield on 10 January 1976, but each advantage was cancelled out. Kevin Keegan's two goals and a late effort from Jimmy Case brought no more than a point as Trevor Whymark struck twice for the visitors in a 3–3 draw.
Bob Paisley's side had begun the calendar year by winning 2–0 at West Ham United in the FA Cup. Their first league match of 1976 proved much less straightforward. Ipswich had already beaten Liverpool 2–0 at Portman Road in September and again prevented them from taking full points.
Keegan opened the scoring with a direct free-kick in the 13th minute. Whymark brought Ipswich level on the half-hour, but the visitors' first recovery was short-lived. Three minutes later, Keegan scored again from a Tommy Smith assist to restore the home lead.
Liverpool reached half-time 2–1 ahead, with both their goals coming from Keegan. Alongside him, the starting side included John Toshack, Steve Heighway, Ray Kennedy, Ian Callaghan and Case: there was no shortage of established attacking options in the home team.
Ipswich's second equaliser came through Eric Gates in the 65th minute. At 2–2 the visitors had once more undone Liverpool's advantage, leaving the home side to seek another breakthrough.
Case provided it with twelve minutes remaining. Liverpool were ahead for the third time, now late enough in the match for the goal to offer the prospect of victory. Whymark had the final answer, scoring in the 83rd minute to complete his own double and leave the teams level again.
Liverpool finished the afternoon third in the First Division on 34 points, one behind Manchester United. They had scored three times at home without winning; Ipswich had earned their point through repeated recoveries rather than by defending an early lead.
For Keegan, two goals had twice put Liverpool in front. Case's later contribution had done the same. None proved decisive, because Whymark and Gates ensured that every Liverpool lead received a reply.