Liverpool defeated newly promoted Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road to start the new era under manager Arne Slot off to a successful start.
In their first competitive match since Jurgen Klopp quit the team at the end of the previous campaign, the Reds overcame a discouraging first half to score two goals after the break.
Since taking over, Slot has not made any acquisitions. Slot is the first permanent manager of Liverpool to win a league game while managing the team alone since Graeme Souness in 1991.
More Read
Liverpool had a poor first half performance, but they came back with a much better performance in the second half, which Peter Crouch called “breathtaking”.
“With the new manager and no signings, Liverpool needed to make a statement,” former England and Liverpool striker Crouch stated on TNT Sports.
“They gave the impression that they could score goals at any time when they opened up Ipswich.
“There are slight differences between Slot and Klopp but the fans will get on board.”
Slot displays his vicious side.
Slot was not slow to reveal his vicious side.
After a goalless first half, the Dutchman was not satisfied with the amount of challenges Liverpool was losing and substituted Ibrahima Konate for Jarell Quansah at the beginning of the second half.
After conceding a goalless first forty-five minutes, Liverpool’s goals from Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota sealed the victory.
“I inherited a very good team and very talented players but these players have to understand it is not enough what they brought in the first half,” Slot remarked later.
“In the first half, we dropped far too many duels. We didn’t handle things very properly.
“We lost nearly every long ball in the first half, and I didn’t see them fighting for it. They were prepared for us in the second half, but we broke loose and showed that we could play very decent football.”
“Salah, many more years!” – Slot
Salah recorded a goal and an assist in his first competitive outing under Slot.
The 32-year-old put on a dynamic display, making four attempts overall, three of which were on target.
With nine goals and fourteen goal involvements (including five assists) during the first weekend of the Premier League, Salah leads the field by a wide margin.
Just four months have passed since Salah and Jurgen Klopp got into a highly visible altercation following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with West Ham.
“He’s a true top athlete, as fit as a fiddle,” ex-England midfielder Joe Cole stated on TNT Sports.
“He had a different time at the back end of Klopp, but I think he’ll be up there with the goals for sure.”
During the preseason, Salah has appeared cheerful, sharp, and fresh.
The player who scored 18 goals in the Premier League in 2023–24, however, is out of contract next summer, and time is running out.
Slot said, “There are many more years for him to play,” without providing any further information regarding Salah’s future.
In just five months, Salah and two other important players—Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contracts expire in the summer—may sign pre-contract agreements with rival teams.
“A more forgiving group”
Slot has to demonstrate that he can handle the demands of the Premier League and Champions League since there are tougher challenges in store.
However, the victory was achieved against an Ipswich team who had a great start in front of an ardent crowd at Portman Road.
On BBC Final Score, veteran Premier League striker Chris Sutton commented, “It’s a big win for Arne Slot in his first game.”
“I think they will be more of a patient team this season and they will be there or there abouts [in the title race].”
Will Liverpool bolster their roster prior to the August 31 transfer window?
Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi was not available to the Reds when the midfielder from Spain chose not to sign with them.
“They haven’t quite got the number six sorted yet, no one has taken it,” stated Cole.
“A lot of his tactics will be playing through the lines, playing through the six, which is why there could be teething problems.”
