Ipswich v Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Salah and Jota scored in new era for club

Arne Slot is in town and so is Kieran McKenna. Arguably the two head coaches most-spoken about this summer - once Erik ten Hag’s future became clear, at least - went head to head on the opening day and both gave their supporters evidence that there’s plenty of reason for optimism in 2024/25.

Liverpool completed their own mini “Old Farm derby” challenge: three years ago they went to Norwich City on the opening day of the season and beat them 3-0; this time it was Portman Road for their first game and Ipswich Town suffered the same fate, albeit with one fewer conceded. Two scorers that day managed to find the net again here, in Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah; perhaps the reason the Reds spurned so many chances to wrap up the points on this occasion was because their third scorer in 2021 - Roberto Firmino - is no longer at the club.

Liverpool’s next game is a home match against Brentford, before they travel to Old Trafford on 1 September.

It doesn’t get any easier for Ipswich, who will face Man City away on 24 August before a Carabao Cup match against AFC Wimbledon on 27 August.

Kieran McKenna is the last to speak to TNT after a promising afternoon turned to disappointment.

“I thought we showed plenty of good things. I thought the first half was really good, qe made it difficult for Liverpool, we pressed well. It was a really positive first half, and it gives us something to build on.

“We know that we’re going to improve, and the challenge is to maintain that level of performance for longer, and to manage things better in the second half.

“I think for us, [the important thing to work on] is managing the point after they scored. For this team, our response when we conceded has always been to come out swinging for the next goal, but that’s one thing we’re going to have to find the balance of.

“The players will learn from that, we’ll take the lessons form today, many positives, and we’ll be stronger for it.”

More from Slot below...

“I don’t believe that much in one man, I believe in the team more than the individual. He (Salah) can score his goals because of good runs, good assists. I think Mo also needs the team but we also have more creative individuals who can decide the game.”

“We know but it’s normal if you’re Liverpool that you have a lot of good players. You saw today how tough Premier League games are so you also need good individual performance if the team is playing well to win.”

On his goals for the season, he says he isn’t looking too far forward.

“Not that I’m looking so far forward to the end of the season. I think every game we have to do everything in terms of defence but also with the ball. You saw last season how close the games were. We have to make sure we are up three and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

He finishes by adding that he is “definitely looking forward to” playing at Anfield next week.

“With the win now it’s nice to go into a week where we can train a lot again which is helpful because many came in quite late. But again it’s about preparing the team, not the occasion.”

Arne Slot was the first of the managers to speak to TNT. He says that “the first taste [of Premier League football] in the first half was maybe as expected because they were all on top of us, very aggressive. [But the] second half was a joy to watch.”

“First thing was we don’t have to speak about tactics if you don’t lose so many duels. I think we needed to win the long balls through the air. That helped and gave us control. I don’t think Ipswich could keep up with the tempo in the second half.”

He confirms that taking off Jarrel Quansah was a tactical decision, before adding: “If a team plays all over the pitch 1v1, do not always play the ball short constantly.

“I didn’t see them fighting for it in the first half, we lost almost every long ball. In the second half they were ready and then gaps opened up and you could see we can play quite good football.”

“I don’t think our problem in the first half was midfield, our problem is we lost too many duels. A lot had been said about our signings but I saw three or four players coming off the bench and they were already good to play.”

Mo Salah was the first player to speak to TNT, and he says today was “quite tough” as “the weather was really warm”.

“It’s a tough team, I’m glad we won today, I’m always happy to make a difference.

 “When they play home especially it’s quite tough. The crowd is always up. We knew that before the game, we’re experienced, so we expected a tough game.

“Hopefully I keep going like this for the whole season! I always help to try to help the team all the time, I’m always happy to score goals or assist.”

The Egyptian adds that it is “quite different” under Arne Slot.

“Jurgen was in the team for eight years, he gave everything, now it’s a new manager and new system. It’s quite different for all of us, we need to adapt. We just need to know his way of playing and enjoy the football.

“We don’t need to put more pressure on him, we just need to play football and enjoy our games. Let’s see in the end.”

That result puts Liverpool top of the table for now, though of course only four of 20 teams have played.

The Reds get off to a winning start in a season in which few have tipped them to be title challengers – could they spring some surprises at the top?

Ipswich put in a great first half, but they tired and lost cohesion as the match entered the second half. Still, the first 45 was enough evidence that many teams will struggle (at least at times) in their visits to Portman Road.

The final whistle goes and Liverpool collect three points at Portman Road in Arne Slot’s first competitive match in charge.

A less cohesive start from the Reds but a blistering 20 minutes in the second half blew the home side away, and in truth it could have been four or five.

The first top-flight match at Portman Road in 22 years ends 2-0 to Liverpool.

97 mins: Great defending from Konate prevents Greaves from a great goalscoring opportunity after Harness had slipped in the through ball.

Ipswich are finishing in the ascendancy, but it’s too little too late.