Liverpool traveled to Ipswich town to begin their opening league game. The Reds went into the game with the hopes of starting a new season on a strong foot. Their record in every opening league game under a new manager over the past 20 years has been poor. Liverpool have failed to win any opening league game match with a new manager. However, Arne Slot looked to break the record.
The Dutchman set up a front-three lineup of Salah Jota and Diaz. At his midfield, he lined up Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, and Gravenberch in the holding midfield role. Despite the worries of Gravenberch being likely unfit for the role, Slot decided to take the risk. At the backline, he also had Trent Alexander Arnold, Robertson, Van Dijk, and Quansah.
The game started to be tricky for the Reds, but in the end, they took control.
First half
The 1st half started very rough, as the Reds struggled to keep the possession. So much aggression and energy was displayed by the Ipswich players. Liverpool got caught a couple of times off the possession. However, Ipswich couldn’t get more chance to hurt them, as the Reds reacted defensively well. A chance fell for the likes of Mo Salah, but the Egyptian seemed rusty on the ball. Kieran McKenna’s side did very well in keeping the Reds strongly a bay. Ipswich also nearly forced out turnovers from Liverpool. This is especially true of Andy Roberston. But great recoveries from Liverpool’s midfield quenched the Ipswich attack. At the end of the First half, it was a stalemate
Second Half
Arne Slot made a quick change bringing on Konate for Quansah. The Englishman struggled a lot in the First half as he was bullied by Delap a lot. Konate came into the game matching the Ipswich’s forward energy. Soon the tide fell into the Reds side. Diaz could have given the Reds the lead. However, he, was off target, after a beautiful pass from Salah. As time elapsed Liverpool began to charge more, and it was obvious Ipswich was getting relaxed.
A through pass from Arnold freed Salah, who squad a one-time pass to Jota. The Portuguese wasted no time in slotting the ball into an empty net. The Reds continued to charge, and they found the second. Szoboszlai well well-weighted pass freed Salah to find the net. The Egyptian has had at least a goal or an assist in every league game he has played for Liverpool. The game ended two-nil in favor of the Reds.
Key Players for Liverpool
Liverpool struggled throughout the first half but soon started finding their momentum in the second half. Players like Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Jota, and Arnold all had impressive displays in the game. A player noteworthy however was Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman who had not played in the position in a while impressed throughout the game.
During Klopp’s era, the 22-year-old functioned as an Attacking midfielder. Now he plays the role of a holding midfielder. A lot of doubts had been thrown at him on whether he was capable. Yet he was able to prove them wrong in the opening game.
Gravenberch had placed no foot in the wrong place. His interceptions, composure, and passing were exceptional. And with time it’s expected that the Dutchman will only get better and better.
Slot’s Assessment of the Game
Arne Slot assessed the game after the match saying. “I told the boys at halftime, there’s no point talking about tactics if we don’t win our duels. The first taste in the first half was as expected, they were all on top of us. Very aggressive. We couldn’t find the rhythm. The second half was a joy to watch.”
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