Liverpool began the 2024/25 season with a stable outing and a clear sheet, choosing up factors on the street with a 2-0 victory at newly promoted Ipswich to offer Arne Slot the right begin.
Ipswich City 0-2 Liverpool
Premier League (1), Portman Street
August 17, 2024
Targets: Jota 60′, Salah 65′
1. Ryan Gravenberch does nicely because the No.6
There have been realistically solely a few selections for Arne Slot to make for his first aggressive line-up, with the defensive midfielder being certainly one of them. Fellow Dutchman Ryan Gravenberch acquired the nod for it, following a pre-season run on the market.
Whether or not it’s really right down to Gravenberch’s traits and abilities, or the very fact it facilitates others to be of their higher positions, is probably but to be decided.
“Gravenberch begins within the six as a result of he has the attributes to play there, he’ll develop right into a six. Him enjoying at the moment will assist [Alexis] Macca play extra ahead,” the brand new boss stated earlier than kick-off.
Was it a hit? Onerous to say definitively both manner, given the various states of health gamers appeared in, however an outline of hit or miss wouldn’t be surprising anyway. Some was good, some was, let’s say, worthy of a nod of appreciation on the intent.
An Ipswich counter simply ten minutes in noticed the Dutch midfielder sprinting again to take up place alongside the outnumbered defence; a light, lofted go from deep quarter-hour in nearly set Salah away by means of the center. He was fast to go for unfastened balls, whether or not he received them or not, and made himself obtainable to take the ball off defenders.
He really acquired more practical as the sport opened up too, with power within the tank maybe, as others drained – he surged on greater than as soon as to open the sport and discover first rate by means of balls.
Not every little thing was excellent, correct or certainly what you need out of your No6 – however Slot and supporters should know and anticipate that’ll be the case. It’s no less than a constructive begin and possibly that type of belief and alternative is simply what Gravenberch wants.
2. Arne Slot presents a brand new character on the touchline
We’re used to seeing loads of power, a lot of gesticulations, some disbelieving smiles and nearly continuous dialogue with the fourth official within the dugout from the Liverpool boss over the previous few years.
However Slot is clearly a distinct character, a distinct fashion of supervisor and this primary sport confirmed as a lot.
He was totally on his toes, for certain, however it was calm, thought-about, asking the odd participant throughout for a phrase and a pointer, however probably not directing play or getting concerned in an excessive amount of – save for when one seemingly harsh deal with from Massimo Luongo went unpunished.
That second and his fury angled on the fourth official actually confirmed he’s there to defend his crew in his personal manner when known as for, however for probably the most half it was a studious and watchful first time on the touchline within the Premier League.
Tactically it was what we’d anticipate after preseason and the tactical determination to interchange Jarell Quansah with Ibrahima Konate at half time paid off.
3. A number of gamers missing rhythm
As a rule over the previous couple of years Liverpool have performed six or seven – generally extra – friendlies within the build-up to new seasons. Usually the early ones are full of children and backups, besides the senior names get a bit extra sport time than has been the case this summer season.
Only one look in preseason for among the internationals who had a busy summer season wasn’t a lot of a rhythm setter and that maybe confirmed.
Alexis Mac Allister actually wasn’t in his stride in any nice measure, with Andy Robertson – a summer season event after which an harm – additionally trying manner off the tempo at occasions.
As a bunch they in fact haven’t had a lot of an opportunity to play within the new manner with the brand new patters of play and expectations, so some rust and the odd second missing cohesion was to be anticipated in a manner, even when it’s the identical group, which might help familiarity total.
The opening video games we already know are key to get factors on the board, however we’ll additionally have to see that squad used nicely too.
4. Mo Salah has a battle on for traditional top-scorer award
We don’t need to bounce head-first into opening day scorching takes, however there was loads of suggestion that with a extra focal-point, increased beginning place No9, it is perhaps that Liverpool’s striker is their chief aim menace.
Whereas which may sound apparent to followers of different groups, that’s a brand new occasion for Liverpool, given Mohamed Salah has been simply the most effective chance-taker for the previous few years.
Little doubt Mo will plunder loads himself as soon as extra – an opportunistic end acquired him up and operating right here already – however Jota seems very well-suited to this position, had three probabilities himself and took one. Add within the truth he’s not but absolutely on top of things and that final time period he had an excellent scorching streak which confirmed he’s an all-round predator now and we may simply have a two-horse race at a minimal.
Darwin, Diaz, Gakpo? Fancy becoming a member of in?
5. Dominik Szoboszlai is rather more ten than a No.8
The midfield variations is without doubt one of the components of the crew most fascinating to observe develop this season beneath Slot, notably because it’s one of many few weaker areas of the facet from the previous yr or three.
Greater than people, that’s relating to form on and off the ball – so Dominik Szoboszlai taking on the clearly altered “third” midfield position has been an actual plus level on the proof thus far.
He was very positively a No.10, usually alongside or past the striker in open play and trying to choose the ball up between the strains, on the flip, to rapidly hyperlink strikes within the remaining third.
That’s a giant distinction to the place we noticed two No8s alongside one another beforehand and each trying to assault from behind play, usually stopping at or earlier than the penalty field.
This seems like suiting the No8 way more and we’ve additionally seen proof that Harvey Elliott will take pleasure in it, too. Heaps extra to return, little question, from a brand new attacking factor of the crew.
Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
