Arne Slot didn’t hold back in his assessment of his team’s sluggish start, stating bluntly, “We played like we hated the 12.30 kick-off!”
The Reds’ new era under boss Arne Slot began on a winning note with a 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Second-half strikes from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah secured all three points for the visitors in their season opener.
After a challenging first half, Jota broke the deadlock on the hour mark before Salah doubled the lead, setting an all-time competition record for goals scored on opening day.
“I have to give credit to Ipswich as they were aggressive and not afraid all over the pitch, they won more second balls and duels in the first half,” Slot said.
“That’s why it was an equal. In the second half we won more duals and played the ball in behind.
“When teams play the risk of playing one-vs-one, when you have Luis Diaz, Mo Salah and Diogo Jota we had to use them – we did that better in the second half.
“I said to them at half-time if you want to win here you have to win your duels and make it a fight. Ibou [Konate] helped us as he won his duels straight away against the no.9 and that gave us ball possession – we should have scored more than two goals.
“Jurgen [Klopp] hated the 12.30pm kick-off and we played like we hated the 12.30pm kick-off as we weren’t in the game in the first half.
“People told me there were no easy games in the Premier League and that showed today.
“Ipswich made it so difficult for us in the first half and there’s more of that to come.
“It wasn’t the first time in nine years that Liverpool have played well.
“I’ve inherited a really good team with great individuals.
“The players have to understand it wasn’t enough in the first half.
“If they play at their maximum capacity then they can be really good.
“It was good to see the goals we scored.”
The Dutchman added: “I don’t think for the Liverpool supporters it’s the first time in nine years that they saw the team playing really well!
“I inherited a very, very good team with a lot of great individuals but also these players have to understand that it is not enough what they brought in the first half.
“If they bring the maximum of their capacity then they can play really, really good, and that’s what they showed in the second half today.
“It was good to see the goals we scored but I think the attack that would have probably been on Match of the Day tonight as well that didn’t lead to a goal was the nicest one, and that was the one Lucho just hit over the bar.
“That was the way I want to see the team doing more and more and more and more if they can.”
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