Jota, Salah scores as Arne Slot’s reign as Liverpool manager begins
with win over Ipswich
Ipswich, Aug 17: Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot began with a 2-0 victory over promoted Ipswich on Saturday, with Mohamed Salah netting the second goal to break a Premier League scoring record.
Salah poked home a finish from close range in the 65th minute to take his tally of goals in the opening round of a Premier League season to nine, breaking a tie he had with a trio of English soccer greats in Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Frank Lampard.Five minutes earlier, Salah set up Diogo Jota for the first goal as Liverpool improved after a slow first half in its first competitive game under Slot, who replaced longtime manager Jurgen Klopp during the offseason.
While Liverpool joined Manchester United – a 1-0 winner over Fulham on Friday – in making a triumphant start to the season, it was an early lesson for Ipswich, whose most famous supporter, pop star Ed Sheeran, was cheering the team on from a VIP box at Portman Road.This is Ipswich’s first season in the top flight since 2002 and the team looks sure to entertain, even if it might concede plenty of goals in the process with its open, expansive style.
There were five more games later Saturday, including Arsenal – the runner-up in the past two seasons – hosting Wolverhampton.
Reigning champion Manchester City begins its title defense at Chelsea on Sunday. Former Feyenoord boss Slot has enormous shoes to fill at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s excellent nine-year spell in charge, but Saturday’s win – coming off the back of a strong pre-season – will raise hopes of a successful first season under the Dutchman.
The Reds took a while to get going, however, with Alexander-Arnold’s curling effort shortly before the break the closest they came to troubling Walton in the first half.Alexander-Arnold’s strike was one of just three first-half attempts by Slot’s team, equalling their lowest tally from the 2023-24 campaign. None were on target.
But the visitors began the second period with far greater urgency and Salah had a goal-bound effort blocked by Greaves, before Luis Diaz blazed over after cutting on to his right foot from the left flank.Ipswich were suddenly struggling to get out of their own half and were given a let-off when Jota headed wide from Alexander-Arnold’s cross, but Liverpool’s pressure finally told when the forward converted Salah’s pass.The Egyptian went from provider to goalscorer not long afterwards, his close-range finish meaning he has scored in all but one of Liverpool’s opening-day fixtures since signing for the club.
Kieran McKenna has turned Portman Road into a fortress during his time in charge, with Saturday’s reverse only their second defeat in their past 40 home league games.The Tractor Boys, who fielded seven players who started their final League One home game in 2022-23, showed plenty of promise in the early stages as Greaves and Hutchinson both tested Alisson.However, they were perhaps fortune to end the first half with a full complement of players after Wes Burns – already on a yellow card for an earlier challenge – appeared to bat the ball away with his arm in a coming-together with Jota. (Agencies)