Premier League: Arne Slot achieves what Klopp could not do in Liverpool’s win
Arne Slot got his Liverpool tenure to a perfect start after his Reds side defeated Ipswich Town 2-0 in their Premier League clash at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool's First Half woes against Ispwich
Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool’s manager, watched his side labour in the first half before switching up the gears in the second half.
Liverpool started with a familiar lineup, with Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz all included.
The story of the first half between @IpswichTown and @LFC 📖
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 17, 2024
What are your thoughts on the opening encounters? #IPSLIV | #TheKickOff pic.twitter.com/2T3wGd9b3D
However, despite the presence of these players in the lineup, Slot’s men were not particularly convincing.
The Reds failed to create a clear chance against a resolute Ipswich defence and did not have a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
In contrast, Ispwich looked more adventurous on their return to the English top flight, testing Alisson Becker a few times in the first half.
Jota, Salah helps Slot beat Klopp to new Liverpool feat
However, the start of the second half saw a rejuvenated Liverpool, with Slot making a change, bringing on Ibrahim Konate for Jarell Quansah.
Slot’s halftime talks appeared to do wonders as Liverpool increased their tempo and looked more dangerous in the final third.
The pressure finally paid off on the hour mark as Diogo Jota finished from close range after he was set up by Salah.
Mohamed Salah has never failed to score or assist on the opening weekend of a Premier League season.
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 17, 2024
⚽ vs. Watford (17/18)
⚽ vs. West Ham (18/19)
⚽🅰️ vs. Norwich (19/20)
⚽⚽⚽ vs. Leeds (20/21)
⚽🅰️🅰️ vs. Norwich(21/22)
⚽ vs. Fulham (22/23)
🅰️ vs. Chelsea (23/24)
⚽🅰️ vs.… pic.twitter.com/RHvVd4ktgN
Jota’s goal gave Liverpool more urgency, and the Reds doubled their lead through the usual suspect, Salah.
Salah’s goal killed off the hope Ipswich had left and sealed Liverpool’s first win under their new manager.
For Slot, it was not just an important win because it was his first official game, but because it also helped him achieve a feat no other manager in Liverpool’s history this century has achieved.
With the win, Slot became the first Liverpool manager to win his first Premier League game this century, a feat even the great Jurgen Klopp did not manage to achieve.
Klopp only managed to play a goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur in his first league game as Liverpool's manager, while Brendan Rodgers, Kenny Daglish and Roy Hodgson all lost their first league games.
Arne Slot is the first manager to win their opening Premier League game for Liverpool since Gérard Houllier and Roy Evans beat Southampton in 1998 when they were jointly in charge.
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 17, 2024
The new era has officially begun. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ZzsjmdfWWz
Slot will now hope to build on his debut win when Liverpool host Brentford in their second league game of the season next Sunday.