The Arne Slot era is in full swing.
After a tough start at Ipswich Town, Liverpool celebrated an easy win on Matchday 1 of the Premier League thanks to second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.
There are tougher tests ahead but it was still a satisfactory start for Slot as he looks to ensure Jürgen Klopp is not missed too much on Merseyside this season.
These were the big talking points at Portman Road.
Why were Liverpool so much better after half-time?
After the disappointing performance in the first half, Arne Slot’s team speech at half-time should have been good – and that’s exactly what happened.
Liverpool managed just three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, none on target, and posted an expected goals ratio of 0.11. It was an error-ridden performance that lacked pace, composure and confidence, as the Opta first-half graphic below highlights.
In the second half, however, we got to see what slotball really looks like. The pace was increased, the movements improved, and the decisions and passes were made with more confidence and precision.
The midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were more prominent and offensively positioned, which made it easier for Ipswich to assert themselves.
Even without the ball, their intensity was much better, meaning Ipswich weren’t able to play as offensively as they did in the first half. They had more space to maneuver and were able to push the opposition further back.
As you would expect from a newly promoted team, Kieran McKenna’s side were brimming with energy in the first half but their performance dropped off in the second 45 minutes and Liverpool took full advantage.
When Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota missed golden opportunities in quick succession, last season’s poor finishing threatened to resurface, but when Jota and then Salah finished off well-worked, quick attacks, the result was sealed.
If they had played with concentration, their lead at the end could have been much bigger.
Andy Jones
What have we learned about slot on the sidelines?
The locals were sent into ecstasy by the stadium announcer before kick-off.
“Our time has come. Welcome to the Premier League,” he boomed before launching into “Blue Army.”
Portman Road was in turmoil at Ipswich’s return to the top flight, but amidst the noise, Arne Slot exuded a rare calm as he stood in his coaching zone with his hands deep in his pockets.
The contrast to Jürgen Klopp could hardly have been greater. No wild gesticulations, no angry arguments with the fourth official when decisions went against his team.
Arne Slot was largely held back on the sidelines (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Even during an error-ridden first half in which Liverpool looked vulnerable on the counterattack, conceded a number of cheap free kicks and failed to manage a single shot on goal, Slot held his nerve and continually cheered and applauded his players.
At one point he shouted orders to Gravenberch to adjust his formation in defensive midfield and then pushed his back line forward when he felt they had fallen too far back.
As Slot went straight to the dressing room at half-time, it was his assistant Sipke Hulshoff who approached referee Tim Robinson to voice Liverpool’s complaints about the refereeing.
Liverpool played much more fluidly and with more control in the second half, but Slot did not celebrate Liverpool’s goals wildly. Instead, he simply clenched his fist and then hugged his support team.
With the task completed, Slot was able to enjoy the final moments as the jubilant away team chanted his name, becoming the first Liverpool manager to win his first league game since Graeme Souness in 1991.
James Pearce
Why were Liverpool so vulnerable to their own corners?
If Slot’s aim was to gain more control and reduce the number of counterattacks against his team, it was not a good start – especially when the chances came from corners for Liverpool.
Ipswich’s best chance of the first half came when Alexis Mac Allister lost a challenge on the edge of the box following a set piece. A pass from Liam Delap was enough for Omari Hutchinson to head towards Liverpool’s goal.
Alexander-Arnold was the only one back in the game and together with the recovering Szoboszlai they managed to slow down the Ipswich attacker and force him to take a spectacular shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Omari Hutchinson had a chance after a Liverpool corner went wide (Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)
It was Alexander-Arnold who once again thwarted a corner counterattack with an important interception at the beginning of the half.
That result topped Slot’s list of concerns at half-time, with Ipswich’s confidence rising and Liverpool’s poor performance helping.
They won’t get away so easily against stronger opponents.
Andy Jones
How did Gravenberch fare in the role of number 6?
With Liverpool’s efforts to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad unsuccessful, the number 6 position remains unclear, but Gravenberch offered encouragement that he could be the solution for the moment.
Slot wants a midfielder for this role who doesn’t press and can receive the ball well under pressure and move it forward. These are qualities that the Dutch midfielder brings as he looks to get his career back on track at Liverpool after a rocky first season.
The pressure was on and it was far from easy in the first half as Ipswich’s pressure made it difficult for Liverpool to build from the back. When Gravenberch had the ball he used it well but he didn’t get close enough and his teammates had to search for a long time.
Ryan Gravenberch did well as number 6 (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
His performance in the second half was much better as he controlled the game from deep and was much more involved. He was key to starting Liverpool’s attacks and winning the ball.
There remain some concerns out of possession as Liverpool looked open and were played through at times, particularly in the second half. But without a perfect solution, these are the early pains that Slot will have to deal with.
Andy Jones
What’s next for Liverpool?
Sunday, August 25th: Brentford (H), Premier League, 4:30pm BST, 11:30am ET
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(Top photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
