Ipswich 0 Liverpool 2: How did Arne Slot spark second-half revival?

17 Aug 2024

The Athletic

Ipswich 0 Liverpool 2 How did Arne Slot spark secondhalf revival

All the big talking points as Anfield's new era began with a victory at Portman Road

The Arne Slot era is up and running.

After a stodgy start at Ipswich Town, Liverpool eased to an opening-day Premier League victory courtesy of second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.

Tougher tests await but this was a satisfactory start for Slot as he sets about ensuring Jurgen Klopp is not overly missed on Merseyside.

These were the big talking points from Portman Road.

Why were Liverpool so much better after half-time?

Slot’s team talk needed to be a good one after a disappointing first-half display — and so it proved.

Liverpool only managed three shots, none on target, and an expected goals total of 0.11 in the opening 45 minutes. It was an error-strewn performance lacking tempo, composure and confidence, as the Opta first-half graphic below underlines.

In the second half, however, we got to see what ‘Slot-ball’ actually looks like. There was an increased tempo, better movement and more confidence and precision with their decision-making and passing.

The midfield three of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were more prominent and progressive and it made it easier to open Ipswich up.

Off the ball, their intensity was much better, too, not allowing Ipswich to play out as they had in the first half. Having better territory allowed them to force the opposition further back and – as the manager noted after the game – they won far more of their duels.

In the first half, Liverpool were successful in just 41.5 per cent of their duels.

In the second, that increased to a more respectable 54.5 percent.

Kieran McKenna’s side were full of energy in the first half, as you would expect from a promoted team, but their levels dipped in the second 45 minutes and Liverpool took full advantage.

When Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota missed golden opportunities in quick succession the poor finishing of last season was rearing its head, but once Jota and then Salah finished off quick, well-worked attacks, the result was secure.

Had they been clinical, their advantage could have been much bigger by full time.

Andy Jones

What did we learn about Slot on the touchline?

The locals had been whipped into a frenzy by the PA announcer before kick-off.

“It’s our time. Welcome to the Premier League,” he boomed before starting a chant of ‘Blue Army’.

Portman Road was bouncing on Ipswich’s return to the top flight but, standing with his hands in his pockets, Slot was a figure of calm amid the din.

The contrast with Klopp could hardly have been greater. No wild gesticulating, no angry confrontations with the fourth official when decisions went against his side.

Slot was largely restrained on the sideline (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Even during an error-strewn first half when Liverpool looked vulnerable on the counter-attack, gave away a succession of cheap free kicks and failed to trouble Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton, Slot kept his composure, repeatedly encouraging and applauding his players.

On one occasion, he bellowed orders to Gravenberch about adjusting his positioning in his holding midfield role and then urged his back line to push up when he felt they had dropped to deep.

As Slot headed 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 officiating.

Liverpool played with much greater fluency and control in the second half but there were no wild celebrations from Slot to greet Liverpool’s goals. Instead, he simply clenched his fist and then embraced his backroom staff.

With the job done, Slot could enjoy the closing stages as the jubilant away end chanted his name, having become the first Liverpool boss to win his opening league game since Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier oversaw a 2-1 victory as joint-managers in August 1998.

James Pearce

Why were Liverpool susceptible from their own corners?

If Slot wanted more control and a reduction in the number of counter-attacks his team faced, then this was not a good start — especially when the opportunities followed Liverpool corners.

Ipswich’s best opportunity in the first half came when Alexis Mac Allister lost a challenge on the edge of the box following an attacking set piece. All it took was one pass from Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson was bearing down on Liverpool’s goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was the only man back and, alongside the recovering Szoboszlai, they managed to slow down the Ipswich attacker and force a speculative shot from the edge of the area.

Omari Hutchinson had a chance after a Liverpool corner broke down (Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)

It was Alexander-Arnold who again thwarted another corner counter-attack with a vital interception earlier in the half.

It was high on the list of concerns Slot had at half-time, with Ipswich growing in confidence and Liverpool’s poor performance helping.

They will not be let off the hook so easily against better opposition.

Andy Jones

How did Gravenberch fare in the No 6 role?

With Liverpool’s pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi failing, the No 6 position remains unresolved, but Gravenberch showed he can be the solution for now.

Slot wants a press-resistant midfielder to occupy that role, comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and progressing it forward. They are characteristics that the Dutch midfielder possesses as he aims to kickstart his Liverpool career after a stop-start first campaign.

The pressure was on and it was far from easy in the first half as Ipswich’s press made it difficult for Liverpool to build from the back. When Gravenberch was in possession, he used it well, but he didn’t get on it enough and it forced his team-mates to look long.

Ryan Gravenberch did well in his No 6 role (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

His second-half display was much improved as he helped control the game from deep and was much more involved. He was key to starting Liverpool attacks and recovering possession.

Out of possession, there remains some concerns as Liverpool looked open and were played through at times, especially in the second half, but without a perfect solution these are the growing pains Slot has to deal with.

Andy Jones

What did Slot say?

Slot admitted that Liverpool had been seriously off the pace in the first half, accusing his players of losing too many duels to a fired-up Ipswich.

“The first taste in the first half was not as expected,” he told TNT Sports. “They were on top of us and very aggressive. We couldn’t find a rhythm or any balls in behind. The second half was a joy to watch.

“The first thing I said (at half-time) was that we don’t have to talk about tactics if you lose so many duels. And that’s what we did.”

Slot also explained that he had taken off Jarell Quansah at half-time for tactical reasons, rather than a fitness issue.

“Not that Jarell lost every duel — many of us lost too many duels — but we needed Ibrahima Konate to win these long balls through the air for the No 9. That gave us control.”