Arne Slot began his Premier League tenure as Liverpool manager with a victory on Saturday, as Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah scored quickfire goals to secure a 2-0 win at newly-promoted Ipswich.
Although Slot has the difficult task of replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, the Dutchman will have been encouraged by his dominant second-half display.
After winning two straight promotions and making their first Premier League appearance in 22 years, Ipswich was riding high.
Ed Sheeran, a minority owner and celebrity fan, was present at Portman Road, but he had to leave at halftime to go to a gig in Serbia.
Sheeran witnessed the best of the Tractor Boys, who were not intimidated by their legendary rivals in the slightest.
Within two minutes, Omari Hutchinson’s attempt was blocked, and then Jacob Greaves headed the best chance of the first half just inches in front of Alisson Becker.
Since Liverpool is the only Premier League team without a new signing this transfer window, Slot is the only new face at Anfield.
A careless and sluggish first forty-five minutes on the ball demonstrated the need for some new faces.
The Reds were a different team after the break and had the opportunity to emerge as much stronger winners, but Slot’s halftime team speech proved to be effective.
Salah’s attempt to curl in at the far corner needed Greaves to make a crucial clearance.
However, Liverpool also narrowly avoided a penalty when Virgil van Dijk’s push on Liam Delap was called back due to a small offside in the build-up.
Luis Diaz had a fantastic opportunity to score the first goal, but he squandered it after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai set him up with some exquisite play.
Jota then headed Alexander-teasing Arnold’s cross wide, leaving the goal open.
At the hour mark, Liverpool’s pressure eventually paid off as another defense-splitting pass from Alexander-Arnold opened up Ipswich, and Salah squared for Jota selflessly to atone for his earlier miss.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0 as Salah pounced to score for the ninth time on the opening weekend of the season for Liverpool after a one-two with Szoboszlai.
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.
Kieran 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.
When Ipswich visits Manchester City, the reigning champions, next weekend, things won’t get any easier.
Under Slot, Liverpool, however, have the opportunity to gain some early momentum.
Their next six Premier League games are against Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Crystal Palace before the October international break, which comes either side of a trip to Manchester United next month.
