Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot tasted victory in his first match of the Premier League season. He is yet to make any new signings, but the old guard provided the goods, with Mohamed Salah in particular on top form .
Admittedly, the fixture list was kind on paper, throwing up a trip to newly-promoted Ipswich Town. But Liverpool had to weather a tough 45 minutes against the latest plucky addition to the league, only taking control of the encounter in the second period.
Goals from Diogo Jota and Salah sealed the victory, as they both cemented their early status as important players in the Slot era. But there were some early fluctuations in status, with Joe Gomez left out of the squad altogether as he explores transfer options, and Jarell Quansah suffering a chastening half-time withdrawal.
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Teun Koopmeiners green light, Ilkay Gundogan move, Lookman links
READ MORE: Arne Slot might have dropped 5 more Liverpool transfer hints after surprise Joe Gomez decision
So where have the chips fallen? We've taken a look at the current Liverpool power rankings after Gameweek 1 in the Premier League.
Liverpool power rankings - Week 1
1. Mohamed Salah
New season, same Salah. There are question marks over his future as he enters the final year of his contract at Liverpool, and some wondered how the veteran might fit into Slot's preferred style of wing play, but he showed he is just as important as ever.
Scoring to become the all-time leading marksman on opening days , he also provided an assist. Slot's attack looks set to run through the Egyptian just like it did under Jurgen Klopp .
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold
3. Diogo Jota
4. Virgil van Dijk
5. Ryan Gravenberch
The names directly below Salah in the power rankings are more or less the usual suspects. But Ryan Gravenberch is a notable riser compared to last season's picture.
As with Salah, impressive displays from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk had implications in terms of the contract picture, but were otherwise unremarkable in that they were so expected. Diogo Jota is currently the favored number nine, and did his chances of staying there no harm, although expect plenty of fluctuations throughout the season.
Gravenberch, however, is the real surprise package of the Slot era so far. Almost out in the cold under Klopp, he has enjoyed a new lease of life in a double pivot with Alexis Mac Allister, and is the biggest winner by far from the failed Martin Zubimendi transfer.
6. Alisson
7. Dominik Szoboszlai
8. Alexis Mac Allister
9. Luis Diaz
There's still time left in the transfer window, but it looks as though Luis Diaz will be staying put at Liverpool. With that in mind, the focus can turn to how well-suited the Colombian could be to Slot's style.
A tricky, direct winger keen to take on defenders, Diaz is the most natural fit for the mold Slot established at Feyenoord. And he got the nod against Ipswich in the starting trio, despite competition.
He looked lively, although he should have done better at the end of a flowing move, failing with a delicate chip over the goalkeeper. That end product will need to improve if he wants to remain in the first XI, but there were promising signs.
10. Andy Robertson
11. Ibrahima Konate
12. Cody Gakpo
13. Harvey Elliott
At one stage in preseason, Elliott looked all set to kick on another level under Slot, claiming a regular starting berth as his own. That will still be the goal, but he has found himself unceremoniously dropped down the pecking order following the return of other key stars.
Despite some impressive moments in the US, Elliott did not even make it onto the pitch against Ipswich. It's a long old season, and chances will present themselves, but that will have been an early disappointment to him.
A ranking of 13th reflects that Elliott is surely not far from the first team, despite not coming on. Dominik Szoboszlai was impressive in the more advanced midfield role, but will have to look over his shoulder.
14. Curtis Jones
15. Darwin Nunez
16. Jarell Quansah
Jones and Nunez are in much the same boat as Elliott. They would have hoped to start the game, but ultimately didn't even make it onto the field.
Jarell Quansah actually did start, getting the vote of faith ahead of Ibrahima Konate. But after being hooked at half time for a perceived weakness in his individual duels, he's the biggest faller in the early rankings, dropping below some of those who remained on the bench.
There's nothing to suggest he will now be out in the cold under Slot. But it was a far from ideal start to the new era, and Quansah will now feel he has ground to make up in order to reclaim that starting spot.
17. Conor Bradley
18. Kostas Tsimikas
19. Wataru Endo
20. Joe Gomez
The first big shock of the Slot era came before a ball had even been kicked. Joe Gomez did not travel with the Liverpool squad to Ipswich, and it emerged that he had been left out as he considers his transfer options.
Gomez was only back for a short period of preseason after Euro 2024, but clearly did not get the impression he was in line for a starting place in the defense. Newcastle, Aston Villa, Fulham and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in signing him.
But starter or not, Gomez would be a big loss to the Liverpool squad. He was a vital utility option across the back line last season, and Slot cannot forger that he is the longest-serving figure in the squad. The door has been left open to reintegration if a transfer doesn't happen, so we'll have to see how this one plays out.
Most Popular
Comments / 0