Liverpool kicked off their era under new manager Arne Slot with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town. Despite a frustrating first half, the Reds showed a much stronger performance in the second half, with former player Peter Crouch describing their football as “breathtaking.” Slot, who is yet to make a signing since taking over, became the first permanent Liverpool manager to win his first league match in sole charge since Graeme Souness in 1991.
One notable aspect of Slot’s managerial style was his ruthless approach. Unhappy with Liverpool losing challenges in the first half, he made a substitution at halftime, bringing on Ibrahima Konate for Jarell Quansah. This change seemed to have a positive impact as Liverpool improved their performance and secured the victory with goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.
Speaking about Salah, Slot praised the 32-year-old’s fitness and athleticism, highlighting his goal and assist in the game. Salah currently leads the Premier League in goals and goal involvements on the opening weekend of the season. Despite a public disagreement with former manager Jurgen Klopp, Salah has looked sharp and happy in preseason. However, with his contract set to expire next summer, there are questions about his future at the club.
Looking ahead, Slot faces bigger tests in managing the expectations of the Premier League and Champions League. While the win against Ipswich was a good start, there will be tougher challenges ahead. Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes that Liverpool will be a more patient team this season and could be contenders in the title race. However, there are still areas where Liverpool could strengthen before the end of the transfer window, particularly in the number six position.
Overall, Slot’s first match in charge of Liverpool was a successful one, but there is still work to be done. The team showed promise in the second half and will hope to build on this performance going forward. With Slot at the helm, Liverpool fans will be eager to see how the team progresses throughout the season.