‘Breathtaking football’ – how Slot’s Liverpool machine kicked into gear

Liverpool’s era under new boss Arne Slot got off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The Reds overcame a frustrating opening half to score two goals after half-time in their first competitive game since Jurgen Klopp left the club at the end of last season.

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

While Liverpool were below-par in the first half, they produced a much stronger second half showing with Peter Crouch labelling their football “breathtaking”.

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

“Some of the ways they opened Ipswich up, they looked like they were going to score at will.

“There are slight differences between Slot and Klopp but the fans will get on board.”

It did not take long for Slot to show his ruthless side.

The Dutchman was unimpressed with the number of challenges Liverpool were losing during a goalless first half and sent on Ibrahima Konate for Jarell Quansah at the start of the second half.

Liverpool, who had no shots on target in the first 45 minutes, were much stronger as goals by Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah sealed the points.

“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,” said Slot afterwards.

“We lost far too many duels in the first half. We didn’t cope that well enough.

“I didn’t see them fighting for it in the first half, we lost almost every long ball. In the second half they were ready and then we opened up and you could see we can play quite good football.”

Salah marked his first competitive game under Slot with one goal and one assist.

In a lively performance, the 32-year-old registered four attempts in total, three on target.

Salah is now the outright leader for goals (9) and goal involvements (14 – also 5 assists) on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

It is only four months since Salah was involved in a very public spat with Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at West Ham.

“He’s as fit as a fiddle, he’s a real top athlete,” said former England player Joe Cole 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.”

Salah has looked fresh, sharp and happy in pre-season.

Yet the clock is ticking and the scorer of 18 Premier League goals in 2023-24 is out of contract next summer.

“There are many more years for him to play,” added Slot, who declined to go into detail about Salah’s future.

Salah is one of three key players who could sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in just five months time, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk the other two who are out of contract next summer.

There are bigger tests ahead and Slot needs to prove he can manage the expectations of the Premier League and Champions League.

But it was a case of job done against an Ipswich side that started strongly in front of a passionate full-house at Portman Road.

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

“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 strengthen before the transfer window at the end of August?

The Reds tried to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad but missed out after the Spain midfielder decided against the move.

“They haven’t quite got the number six sorted yet, no one has taken it,” added Cole.

“A lot of his tactics will be playing through the lines, playing through the six, which is why there could be teething problems.”