Liverpool completed their own mini "Old Farm derby" challenge: three years ago they went to Norwich City on the opening day of the season and beat them 3-0; this time it was Portman Road for their first game and Ipswich Town suffered the same fate, albeit with one fewer conceded. Two scorers that day managed to find the net again here, in Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah; perhaps the reason the Reds spurned so many chances to wrap up the points on this occasion was because their third scorer in 2021 - Roberto Firmino is no longer at the club.
Ruined symmetry aside, this was far from a procession for Liverpool, and yet it was a match where they were absolutely the stronger, more dominant side. That, along with two other factors, is largely why they ended up with the three points after Ipswich marked their return to the Premier League with a performance of real belief and vigour if a slight lack of final-third presence.
Slot's team however early as it is in his tenure after minimal preseason matches - had two new elements that saw them fend off the home side's pressure and make their quality count: a much greater emphasis on playing in central spaces around and in front of the opposition's defence, and considerably more patience in making the openings they sought.
This story is from the August 18, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 18, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'Fight days are for fighting, not chatting to each other'
This Saturday, Joshua Buatsi will share a card with his friend Anthony Joshua for the fourth time, boxing Willy Hutchinson for an interim title at Wembley. Alex Pattle gets the lowdown
F1 title opening could prove to be Norris's only chance
Under the afternoon sun on Saturday in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, it felt like the moment the drivers’ title slipped away from Lando Norris.
The Man City hearing must answer these two questions
Amid all of the uncertainty around the Manchester City investigation, there is one view that can be stated with confidence as it finally gets under way.
Super clubs have nothing to fear from Uefa's shake-up
As a new Champions League format makes its debut today, Miguel Delaney looks at what it means for the competition
Final messages from Titan before implosion revealed
“All good here.”
New Zealand's bird of the year picked up by a penguin
A rare, smelly and yellow-eyed penguin species has been crowned New Zealand’s bird of the year for the second time in less than a decade.
Death toll rises as floods devastate central Europe
The death toll across central Europe from the worst flooding in decades has risen to at least 16 after Storm Boris brought a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours.
Germany reimposes border controls to tackle migration
Germany has reintroduced checks on all nine of its land borders in a move that has angered a number of its neighbours – but brought praise from the far right.
Putin boosts troop numbers as missiles pummel Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin yesterday ordered the regular size of the Russian army to increase by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million soldiers, the third time he has expanded its ranks since sending the military into Ukraine in February 2022.
'I figured he must be either dead or in prison by now...'
Those who know Ryan Routh talk of his previous 'escapades'