Liverpool boss Arne Slot celebrated his first Premier League match with a 2-0 away victory against newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
After winning back-to-back promotion, Ipswich showed no signs of intimidation in a promising first-half display against one of the Premier League's biggest clubs.
In fact, the Tractor Boys carried the greater threat in the first period, with Jacob Greaves and Omari Hutchinson forcing Alisson Becker into action.
However, the Reds made a dramatic improvement after the restart as Diogo Jota found the all-important breakthrough just moments after spurning a glorious opportunity.
The Portugal international had the simple task of guiding the ball home from Mohamed Salah's square pass, giving Liverpool a narrow lead on the hour mark.
Salah then quickly put his own name on the scoresheet in his 350th Liverpool appearance, linking up with Dominik Szoboszlai before prodding a left-foot shot past Christian Walton.
Liverpool threatened to add to their tally, but they ultimately had to be content with a 2-0 scoreline in Slot's first game in charge of the Merseyside club.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Greaves threatens with a header vs. Liverpool (20th min, Ipswich 0-0 Liverpool)
Ipswich came close with this chance in the first half 👀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 17, 2024
Who will grab control of this game in the second 45? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/MLjhEaFSlQ
Diaz scoops the ball over the bar vs. Ipswich (55th min, Ipswich 0-0 Liverpool)
Luis Diaz comes close to opening the scoring for Liverpool 🫣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 17, 2024
Should he have had a penalty for this...? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/4GS0XRutOC
Jota goal vs. Ipswich (60th min Ipswich 0-1 Liverpool)
Diogo Jota bags Liverpool's first Premier League goal under Arne Slot 🤩 pic.twitter.com/OmiuSV4XFY
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 17, 2024
Salah goal vs. Ipswich (65th min Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool)
Mo Salah opens his account for the 2024/25 season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PFqNkAXjAW
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 17, 2024
MAN OF THE MATCH - MOHAMED SALAH
Mohamed Salah's game by numbers vs. Ipswich:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 17, 2024
46 touches
11 touches in opp. box
4 shots
3 shots on target
2 chances created
2 big chances
1 goal
1 assist
Marking his 350th game for Liverpool with his 212th goal. 🏹#IPSLIV pic.twitter.com/Iv4GPrGPlm
Having entered the final 12 months of his contract, Salah has seen his Liverpool future draw speculation, but amid the uncertainty, he proved that he remains an integral part of the squad.
The Egypt international grabbed an assist before he doubled Liverpool's advantage to break the Premier League record for the most goals scored on the opening day of the season.
Salah has now scored nine goals on the opening weekend of a Premier League campaign and his performance at Portman Road ultimately proved crucial in Liverpool's away day success.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS
Possession: Ipswich 38%-62% Liverpool
Shots: Ipswich 7-18 Liverpool
Shots on target: Ipswich 2-5 Liverpool
Corners: Ipswich 2-10 Liverpool
Fouls: Ipswich 9-18 Liverpool
BEST STATS
13 - Liverpool have conceded 13 fouls against Ipswich so far, their most in the first half of a Premier League game since February 2009 against Chelsea (also 13). Whistle. #IPSLIV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2024
9 - Mohamed Salah now has the most MD1 goals (9) and goal involvements (14) in Premier League history. Greatness. #IPSLIV pic.twitter.com/lwgpQF3auq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2024
1 - Arne Slot is just the second @LFC manager in the @premierleague era to record a victory on his league debut, after Gérard Houllier in August 1998 (in a joint-management role with Roy Evans). Start. pic.twitter.com/gyV5TgVyA0
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) August 17, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
With three points under their belt, Liverpool now turn their focus to Slot's first competitive home game in charge against Brentford next week.
As for Kieran McKenna's side, they will have to pick themselves up after being given a reality check in the second period, and matters do not get any easier as they start to prepare for an away game against Premier League champions Man City.
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