‘Breathtaking Football’: Slot’s Liverpool Machine Kicks Into Gear With 2-0 Win Over Ipswich

Liverpool’s era under new manager Arne Slot began with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

After a frustrating first half, Liverpool scored two goals after half-time in their first competitive game since Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of last season.

Slot, who has yet to make a signing since taking over, is Liverpool’s first permanent manager to win his first league game in charge since Graeme Souness in 1991.

While Liverpool struggled in the first half, they improved significantly in the second half, with Peter Crouch describing their play as “breathtaking.”

“Liverpool needed to make a statement with the new manager and no signing,” former Liverpool and England striker Crouch told TNT Sports.

“In some of the ways they opened up Ipswich, it appeared that they would score at will.

“There are some differences between Slot and Klopp, but the fans will get on board.”
The Dutchman was dissatisfied with the number of challenges Liverpool lost during a goalless first half and substituted Ibrahima Konate for Jarell Quansah at the start of the second half.

Liverpool, who had no shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, improved dramatically with goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah sealing the victory.

“I inherited a very good team and very talented players, but these players must understand that what they brought in the first half is insufficient,” Slot later stated.

“We conceded far too many duels in the first half. We did not handle it well enough.

“I did not see them fighting for it in the first half, and we lost nearly every long ball. They were prepared in the second half, and we opened up, demonstrating our ability to play good football.”

Liverpool is unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League opening matches (W9 D3), dating back to a 3-0 loss to West Brom in 2012-13 under Brendan Rodger.

Salah scored one goal and assisted once in his first competitive game for Slot.

In a lively performance, the 32-year-old made four attempts, three of which were on target.

Salah now leads the Premier League in goals (9) and goal involvements (14 – including 5 assists) after the first weekend of the season.

Salah’s public spat with Jurgen Klopp following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at West Ham happened only four months ago.

“He is as fit as a fiddle, he is a true top athlete,” exclaimed former England player Joe Cole on TNT Sports.

“He had a different time under Klopp, but I believe he will be up there with the goals for sure.”

Salah appeared fresh, sharp, and happy in preseason.

However, the clock is ticking, and the player who scored 18 Premier League goals in 2023-24 will be out of contract next summer.

“There are many more years for him to play,” said Slot, who declined to discuss Salah’s future.

Salah is one of three key players who could sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in just five months, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, both of whom are out of contract next season.

Mohamed Salah has now scored and assisted in 32 Premier League games, second only to Wayne Rooney (36) in league history.

There are bigger tests ahead, and Slot must demonstrate that he can handle the demands of the Premier League and Champions League.

However, it was a job well done against an Ipswich side that started strong in front of a raucous crowd at Portman Road.

“It is a big win for Arne Slot in his first game,” former Premier League striker Chris Sutton told BBC Final Score.

“I believe they will be a more patient team this season, and they will be there or thereabouts [in the title race].”

Will Liverpool strengthen ahead of the transfer window at the end of August?

The Reds attempted to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, but the Spanish midfielder declined.

“They have not quite sorted out number six yet; no one has taken it,” Cole added.

“A lot of his tactics will involve playing through the lines and through the six, which could cause some teething issues.”