Liverpool began their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah ensured a winning start for Arne Slot in his first competitive match as Liverpool‘s head coach.
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First Half: A Tight Contest
Ipswich Town, playing their first Premier League match in 22 years, began the game with great intensity, backed by a sold-out home crowd. They created a few early half-chances, with Omari Hutchinson leading the charge. Liverpool’s defense, led by Virgil van Dijk and new signing Jacob Greaves, stood firm against the initial onslaught.
Greaves nearly put Ipswich ahead midway through the first half, heading a free-kick from Sam Morsy, only for Alisson Becker to make a crucial save. Liverpool struggled to carve out clear opportunities against Ipswich’s well-organized defense, but they gradually grew into the game as the half progressed.
Axel Tuanzebe had a chance to give Ipswich the lead before halftime, flicking a header onto the roof of the net from a well-worked free-kick routine. The first half ended goalless, with Ipswich holding their own against the Reds.
Second Half: Liverpool Take Control
Liverpool emerged stronger in the second half, with Ibrahima Konate replacing Jarell Quansah in defense. The Reds started to dominate possession and create more chances, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz leading the attack.
Liverpool’s breakthrough came on the hour mark when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s precise ball found Salah, who squared it to Diogo Jota for a simple finish past Christian Walton. Just five minutes later, Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead, exchanging passes with Dominik Szoboszlai before poking the ball beneath the onrushing Ipswich goalkeeper.
Liverpool continued to press for a third goal, with Salah and Szoboszlai linking up well. However, Ipswich’s defense held firm, and Christian Walton made several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable.
Key Performances and Tactical Observations
Arne Slot’s tactical approach was evident throughout the match, with Liverpool’s full-backs, particularly Alexander-Arnold, playing a crucial role in creating chances. The partnership between Salah and Szoboszlai looked promising, with the duo combining effectively for Liverpool’s second goal.
Ipswich Town, despite the defeat, showed resilience and tactical discipline, particularly in the first half. Jacob Greaves and Axel Tuanzebe were standout performers for the Blues, while Christian Walton made several important saves to keep Ipswich in the game.
Post-Match Reactions
After the match, Mohamed Salah spoke to TNT Sports about the team’s performance and his record-breaking goal. “It was a tough game, especially with the crowd behind them,” Salah said. “But I’m always happy to make a difference for the team. We just need to carry on and improve with each game.”
Arne Slot praised his team’s resilience and tactical adaptability in his post-match interview. “The first half was challenging, but we adjusted well in the second half and took control of the game. There’s still room for improvement, but it’s a good start to the season.”
Looking Ahead
Liverpool will look to build on this victory as they prepare for their next Premier League match. With new signings like Szoboszlai and the experienced leadership of Salah and Van Dijk, the Reds are aiming for a strong season under their new head coach.
Ipswich Town, despite the loss, can take positives from their performance against one of the league’s top teams. They will aim to regroup and secure points in their upcoming fixtures as they continue their return to top-flight football.
Match Details:
- Final Score: Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool
- Goals: Jota (60’), Salah (65’)
- Attendance: 30,014 (3,000 away fans)
- Referee: Tim Robinson
Liverpool Line-up: Alisson Becker, Virgil Van Dijk (C), Luiz Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrell Quansah.
Ipswich Town Line-up: Christian Walton, Leif Davis, Sam Morsy (C), Luke Woolfenden, Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin, Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson, Jacob Greaves, Massimo Luongo, Axel Tuanzebe.
Unused Substitutes:
Liverpool: Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott.
Ipswich Town: Cieran Slicker, Kalvin Phillips, Jack Taylor, Cameron Burgess, Conor Townsend.
This match marked a positive start to the season for Liverpool, as they secured three points away from home and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting Premier League campaign.
English Premier League Points Table
Check the below mentioned for English Premier League points table from the below mentioned table.
English Premier League Points Table 2024-2025 | GP | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Arsenal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Aston Villa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Manchester United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Newcastle United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
AFC Bournemouth | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Nottingham Forest | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Brentford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Chelsea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Leicester City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Manchester City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
West Ham United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
Fulham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Southampton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
Ipswich Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Everton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
Amidsts Ed Shreeran buys minority shares in Ipswich Town