Manager Arne Slot off to a winning start as Liverpool beat Ipswich 2-0 in Premier League
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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Arne Slot got off to a winning start as Liverpool manager, thanks to two quick-fire goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah in a 2-0 English Premier League win at newly promoted Ipswich Town on Aug 17.
Slot has the unenviable task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield but the Dutchman will have been heartened by a commanding second-half performance, even if his team were a bit lacklustre before the break.
Ipswich, cheered on by new minority shareholder and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from the Portman Road stands, went toe-to-toe with Liverpool in the first half but failed to take their chances when they presented themselves.
The Reds then improved markedly after the break, taking the lead on the hour mark through Jota, before a fine move was finished off by Salah five minutes later to effectively kill off the Tractor Boys’ challenge.
“The first taste (of Premier League football) in the first half was maybe as expected because they were all on top of us, very aggressive,” said Slot, on his first experience of the league.
“We couldn’t find the rhythm (in the first half) but second half was a joy to watch.”
“I think we needed to win the long balls through the air. That helped and gave us control. I don’t think Ipswich could keep up with the tempo in the second half.
“In the second half, we were ready and then gaps opened up and you could see we can play quite good football.”
Ipswich were riding the crest of a wave after back-to-back promotions and a return to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, and Kieran McKenna’s men started strongly at home.
Omari Hutchinson had a shot blocked inside just two minutes, before Jacob Greaves headed the best chance of the first half too close to Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Slot is the sole new face at Anfield as the Reds are the only side in the Premier League yet to make a signing this term. The need for some fresh faces was evident in a sloppy and slow first 45 minutes.
However, his half-time team talk did the trick, as his team were a much different side after the break and could have run out far more convincing winners.
Liverpool’s pressure finally told in the 60th minute as a defence-splitting pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold opened up Ipswich and Salah unselfishly squared for Jota to break the deadlock.
Five minutes later it was 2-0 as Salah pounced to score after a Dominik Szoboszlai pass was deflected into his path.
Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton made a string of saves in the closing stages, notably from Salah and Conor Bradley, to prevent a more embarrassing opening-day defeat.
Salah has now scored on the opening day of a Premier League campaign a record nine times, beating the mark of Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Frank Lampard.
When asked about the changes under Slot, the forward said: “It’s quite different. Jurgen was in the team for eight years... now it’s a new manager and new system.
“It’s quite different for all of us, we need to adapt. We just need to know his way of playing and enjoy the football.
“We don’t need to put more pressure on him, we just need to play football and enjoy our games. Let’s see in the end.”
McKenna’s men had been unbeaten at home in the league for nearly 12 months. But Ipswich were given an early lesson in the gulf in quality between the Championship and Premier League.
The Northern Irishman, a former coach at Manchester United, was not too disappointed with the loss, however.
“I thought we showed plenty of good things, the things we will need to be successful this season,” he said.
“The first half was really good, we made it difficult for Liverpool and it gives us something to build on. We know we are going to improve, there are lots of positives to take and a really good base to build on.
“We will have to find the balance of chasing the equalising goal but also making sure we’re not too open, our players will learn from that.
“We’ll be stronger for it and we need to keep improving and adding to the squad.” AFP, REUTERS
