Arne Slot began his Premier League tenure as Liverpool manager with a 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich on Saturday, thanks to quick goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah. This win at Portman Road marks a promising start for Slot, who has taken over the managerial role from Jurgen Klopp. Despite the pressure of following in Klopp's footsteps, Slot’s effective halftime adjustments led to a dominant second-half performance.
Ipswich, freshly promoted and returning to the Premier League after 22 years, were initially competitive. The match saw a notable presence from celebrity fan Ed Sheeran, although he had to leave at halftime for a prior engagement. Ipswich made a strong start, with Omari Hutchinson's early shot blocked and Jacob Greaves’ header saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. However, the home side struggled to maintain their early momentum.
Liverpool, still waiting for new signings during the transfer window, initially showed signs of rust with a sluggish first half. After Slot’s halftime team talk, the Reds significantly improved their performance. Jota and Salah capitalized on Alexander-Arnold's incisive passing, with Jota scoring on the hour mark and Salah doubling the lead shortly after.
Ipswich’s goalkeeper, Christian Walton, made several key saves to keep the scoreline manageable, but the Premier League newcomers were ultimately outclassed. Ipswich faces a tough challenge next weekend against Manchester City, while Liverpool looks to build momentum in their upcoming fixtures, including matches against Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Crystal Palace.
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