It's more soft rock than heavy metal and one star has a real point to prove... FIVE questions answered after Liverpool kick off the Arne Slot era with a 2-0 triumph over Ipswich
- Lewis Steele gives the lowdown on Arne Slot's first Premier League match
- Liverpool begin their post-Jurgen Klopp era with a 2-0 win away to Ipswich Town
- It's All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Liverpool's new manager, Arne Slot, started his Premier League career with a win on Saturday, after his new club travelled away to beat newly promoted side Ipswich Town, 2-0.
Two second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Mo salah settled the contest, and set Liverpool off into a new post-Jurgen Klopp era in positive fashion.
A clean sheet and dynamic performances from Liverpool's players will have satisfied Slot, who cut a cool and composed figures on the sidelines of Portman Road.
So what was different about the Dutchman's brand of football and are there any tell-tale signs about what Liverpool fans can look forward to?
Here, Mail Sport's LEWIS STEEL answers five quick-fire questions, about the Premier League's newest manager after his debut performance:
Arne Slot began his Liverpool career with 2-0 win away to Ipswich Town
What is different?
The style is less heavy-metal and more soft rock as Liverpool look to keep the ball for longer periods and take their time in finding openings. Arne Slot plays a 4-2-3-1 system with Dominik Szoboszlai sitting behind No 9 Diogo Jota here.
That meant Ipswich’s central defenders were well occupied in the middle, leaving Mo Salah and Luis Diaz with lots of space to exploit. Both of those wingers were Liverpool’s best assets going forward.
What’s he like on the touchline?
Calmness personified. As the stadium announcer revved up the atmosphere with a pre-match rallying cry, Slot stood with his hands in his pockets and a straight face. His poker-face never changed as Ipswich gave Liverpool a tough time in the first half.
Overall, Slot is very business-like. He does not want to make it about him, which might explain why he did not play to the crowd and go over to the away fans at full-time. When asked questions on individual players in his press conference, he was keen to not single out anyone.
Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah got Liverpool's new season off to a positive start
Who impressed the new head coach the most?
Salah was the man of the match and Trent Alexander-Arnold was also excellent on the ball. But he might have been most delighted with holding midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, the Dutchman who has been tasked with a more deeper-lying role this season.
Gravenberch had a stop-start first campaign on Merseyside after his move from Bayern Munich this time last year. But amid all the talk of a need for reinforcements in midfield, the 22-year-old put in a confident display at No 6.
And who has a point to prove?
Seems weird to dig out Darwin Nunez but after Jota scored a clinical finish and led the line admirably, the Uruguayan forward has an uphill task to convince Slot he can be the main man.
Nunez is used to adversity and could thrive off the challenge that awaits, though.
Arne Slot joined Liverpool from Dutch side Feyenoord this summer to replace Jurgen Klopp
How did they look defensively?
Liverpool barely conceded a goal in pre-season and started the real campaign with a pleasing clean sheet here. Alisson was barely stretched and that will delight Slot, who places an emphasis on all 11 players putting in a big defensive shift.
Jarell Quansah was hooked at half-time for tactical reasons as Slot thought he lost too many duels to Ipswich’s lanky forward Liam Delap. France defender Ibrahima Konate came on and added some calmness to Liverpool’s back line.
