Arne Slot is the first Liverpool boss since Bob Paisley to win the first Premier League game in 50 years. The uncanny coincident has the fans already grinning but what matters is what happened on the pitch for 90 minutes.
Liverpool beat Ipswich Town 0-2 at Portman Road Stadium in a game where the confident hosts provided a serious challenge. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna enjoyed limitless praise from the media after he guided them to the promotion from the Championship.
The Reds have faced a lot of heat for their transfer activity in recent weeks after another public rejection. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi opted to stay put at his club instead of joining the Reds during the summer.
Liverpool are the only club in Europe’s top leagues that has not signed a single player during this summer window. The return of the Premier League shifted the focus back to football and the Reds needed to prove their strength.
Slot has inherited a strong squad from Jurgen Klopp but that squad suffered a massive dip in form last season. Before the game, the biggest concern that gripped the Liverpool fans was the repeat of last season’s heartbreak.
Liverpool’s first-half performances did not help the fans recover from that concern but the second-half provided something different and very optimistic. The Reds scored two fantastic goals, courtesy of Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah to secure the impressive victory.
Slot’s first game is too early to judge him or the squad but it provided a lot to assess. Here we share the three talking points for Liverpool after the emphatic victory over Ipswich-
Gravenberch as a number six
Ryan Gravenberch repeated his pre-season friendly performance against Seville with an impressive outing against Ipswich, playing as a number six. Some Liverpool fans will still argue that the recruitment of a defensive midfielder is a continuous necessity.
At the same time, many will say that Gravenberch’s true test as a number six lies against a better team. There is no denying that the 22-year-old performed brilliantly against a physical and high-pressing Ipswich side in an away game.
He registered 86% accurate passes, 100% accurate long-balls, 100% aerial duel won and five out of 11 ground duels won. The Dutchman also won three tackles while also succeeding in one out of two dribble attempts during the game.
Gravenberch’s success is vastly due to the tactical style that Slot uses which makes the Reds narrow when out of possession. This is the reason why we think he could succeed against bigger opponents as a number six for the Reds. Liverpool have managed the spaces they leave better compared to their previous direct tactics under Klopp which reduces the risk factor.
The depth in the squad
Despite the lack of transfer activity, Liverpool finished the game with many high-profile unused substitutes which raised our eyebrows. Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Wataru Endo stayed on the bench as Slot deployed four substitutes.
Things could change due to any unforeseen injury crisis but Slot’s calm and balanced style could avoid that. This season is uniquely longer due to the change in Champions League format, allowing a more squad rotation.
There is no doubt that Liverpool fans still hope that the club will sign some players before the deadline day. But the situation is not as doom and gloom as one might think after seeing social media’s reaction last week.
Slot is ruthless
The halftime substitution of Jarell Quansah for Ibrahima Konate surprised everyone as the youngsters did alright according to many. However, it goes without saying that physically Liam Delap edged Quansah in duels to create chaos in the first half.
Slot immediately responded by pulling Quansah off and inserting Konate, who dominates any challenge. The tactical change drastically improved Liverpool and showed how ruthless Slot can act when needed.
While Quansah looked disappointed, the youngster has a lot to learn with incredible potential and no reason to stay disheartened. There are games ahead when Slot will prefer him over anyone else but physically there’s a lot to improve.
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At the same time, the situation showed that Slot understands how the physicality of the Premier League can overpower any tactics. To apply tactics in this league, assert yourself and avoid letting opponents bully you out of the game.
