Postmortem: Liverpool's Second-Half Brilliance Sinks Ipswich 2-0

This was a game that was always going to create a nervous atmosphere for the traveling support, especially if the scores remained level for a long period of time. That pre-game theory came to fruition, however, a resurgent second half display and some telling individual performances enabled a much-deserved away victory. On match day one of the 2024/25 Premier League season the reds were victorious and now can look forward to Brentford next Sunday.

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

Starting Eleven

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Jarell Quansah

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Andy Robertson

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Diogo Jota

LF – Luis Díaz

Substitutes

Ibrahima Konaté – Jarell Quansah (45 mins)

Conor Bradley – Trent Alexander Arnold (76 mins)

Cody Gakpo – Diogo Jota (79 mins)

Kostas Tsimikas – Andy Robertson (79 mins)

Goals (Assisted by)

Ipswich 0 – 1 Liverpool

Diogo Jota (Mohamed Salah) – 60 mins

Ipswich 0 – 2 Liverpool

Mohamed Salah – 65 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession

Ipswich 38% – 62% Liverpool

Total Shots

Ipswich 7 – 17 Liverpool

Crosses

Ipswich 9 – 24 Liverpool

Corner Kicks 

Ipswich 2 – 10 Liverpool

Goalkeeper Saves

Ipswich 3 – 2 Liverpool

First Half

The opening period of this game was a cagey affair as neither team wanted to be the first to blink. Liverpool was the Premier League heavyweight prone to conceding early goals last season, therefore, loud instruction from the reds skipper, Virgil van Dijk, was prominent throughout the opening exchanges.

With the possession stakes weighing heavily in favour of the away side, a high line became inevitable and the opportunity to counter was not lost on Kieran McKenna’s well drilled team. With a handful of half chances being created by either side and some indecisive play in the final third, the best opportunity for an opening goal nearly came about with a well taken corner being headed into the smothering arms of Alisson Becker.

Much of the initial half saw some roughhouse tactics being deployed by the Tractor Boys’ defenders, as both Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah were limited in their contributions. The half ended with some grumbling about offenses being missed by the officials, however, the tactical battle between two young coaches new to the English top tier, failed to ignite much interest in front of either goalmouth.

Second Half

On resumption of the second half, a proactive alteration was carried out by the new Liverpool boss, Arne Slot, who withdrew his young England defender, Jarell Quansah, thereby allowing the ferocious Frenchman, Ibrahima Konaté, to enter the fray. The post-match comments from the former Feyenoord manager indicated a need to cover long balls, those which were being launched beyond their rearguard.

The power and pace of the 6ft 4inch Konaté was deemed the perfect antidote, which was proven correct with an immediate and aggressive impact. The increased ability to cover ground (by Ibou) and dispel the threat finally allowed the eventual man of the match, Trent Alexander Arnold, to influence the game state and begin interacting with his more skilful club mates.

As the game progressed towards the hour mark, a flurry of chances began to avail themselves, as Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, and Dominik Szoboszlai, all had chances to open the scoring against a team in blue, one which was fighting to keep the scores level. The increased pressure and direction of the famous number 66, TAA, eventually told, as a brilliantly crafted counter attack allowed the Egyptian King, Salah, to find his Portuguese strike partner, Jota, who did not hesitate to find the top corner from close range. The score line shifted to 0-1 and the 19-time English League champions did not look back.

As the intensity shifted from the ideologies of Slot to the direct memory muscles of Klopp, the reds elevated towards a more aggressive approach that was sprinkled with new found intricacies in their play.

The midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai, began to dominate the middle ground and it took just five minutes for the lead to double to 0-2, courtesy of a goal from the deadliest man in opening day Premier League history, Mohamed Salah. A continuing show of pressure finally landed at the feet of the 32-year-old, who stabbed home to seal the vital win.

The game should have seen a third goal added as Ipswich looked to survive the final thirty minutes. The encounter ended with three points heading back to Merseyside and Arne Slot winning out on his first competitive attempt in the Liverpool hot seat.

My Final Thoughts

This was a game that had elements of what is to come, tempered by the direct impact that once brought so much success. The logic and patterns of play looked sporadic in a frustrating first half and Andy Robertson looked perhaps the weak link in a new look enterprise. The second half was superb and nearly every player looked to contribute in raising the temperature in Suffolk. The signs are bright, however, the need for a more aggressive number six and adequate left back was telling, something which must be sourced in the coming fortnight.

A great start.