Arne Slot couldn't have asked for a much better start . His Liverpool side kept a clean sheet and scored twice; really, with the chances that they created, the Reds should have found the net even more.
Given the questions will keep on coming about transfers (for the next fortnight at least) and there remains plenty to be done in the next few weeks, it probably needed to be a strong beginning. The Dutchman was pleased — but made no bones about the fact that there needs to be even more development as the squad continues to get used to his ways.
Jurgen Klopp was the master of saying the right thing at the right time — not mere soundbites, but a more honest verdict in his own words — and the early signs are that Slot has a similar way with words in front of the media and behind the scenes.
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While Liverpool won thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah , Slot and his players know there is much more to be done on the training ground and in terms of results. "Depends on which half you ask me about!" he said live on TNT Sports post-match when asked if he was pleased with the victory.
"The first taste in the first half was maybe as expected because they were all on top of us and very aggressive. We couldn't find the rhythm and we couldn't find the balls in behind. But the second half was a joy to watch."
When pressed on what he told his side at half-time, Slot added: "The first thing I said was we don't have to speak about tactics if you lose so many duels, and that's what we did. It's not that Jarell (Quansah) lost every duel, many of us lost too many duels, so we needed (Ibrahima) Konate to win these long balls in the air toward their number nine (Liam Delap).
"That helped and gave us control but they put so, so much energy into the first half, running, fighting, playing all over the pitch one vs one. I don't think they could keep up with that tempo in the second half."
Slot was generally cool and calm on the touchline (though he did change a little when his side rightly felt grievances including the handball offense that didn't lead Wes Burns to collect a second yellow card ). And he appears just as composed in front of the cameras.
By honestly admitting that Quansah was taken off for tactical reasons — even though he didn't appear to be doing that badly to most, who simply assumed that he had suffered an injury setback — Slot showed he has a ruthless streak, but he explained his reasoning. The move worked, too, with Liverpool well on top second half (albeit that was probably more down to Ipswich tiring).
It was a ruthless call and more of those will need to be made by Liverpool. Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes cannot afford to let Joe Gomez leave before the summer is out unless the Reds have a replacement lined up and ready to go — Liverpool simply cannot lose that experience and versatility no matter how tempting any offers that might come in could be.
Slot's decision was made, armed with having the major weapon of five substitutes, and the Dutchman was decisive. It paid off and sent a positive message at the same time. He isn't here to mess around; neither, on the evidence of the second half at least, are his Liverpool players.
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