Liverpool forwards Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah spoiled Ipswich’s Premier League return and handed new boss Arne Slot a debut victory.
Ipswich were back in the top flight for the first time in 22 years after consecutive promotions under Kieran McKenna and edged a tight first half in front of a buoyant Portman Road crowd.
Liverpool, who finished third in Jurgen Klopp’s last season, went up a level after the break with Jota able to force the opener on the hour mark after an assist by Salah.
Salah went from provider to scorer five minutes later with a smart finish and it proved enough to ensure Slot made a triumphant start with a 2-0 win on the road.
Ipswich had made a flurry of summer signings, but McKenna hinted on Friday it would be a lot of his old guard that began this opener and seven of the XI were starters when they clinched promotion from League One in 2023.
It was a similar story for Liverpool after they had failed to make a single transfer under new head coach Slot and a raucous atmosphere welcomed the Dutchman to English football.
With no shortage of adrenaline, yellow cards were more frequent than chances early on, but the home crowd were almost on their feet when debutant Jacob Greaves’ weak header was nearly spilled by Alisson Becker in the 20th minute.
A third caution for an Ipswich player followed before a lightning quick counter-attack ended with Omari Hutchinson’s low strike being routine enough for Alisson.
Mohamed Salah scores @LFC''s second goal in quick succession 💪
In doing so, he becomes the outright top scorer in Premier League opening day matches with nine goals! #IPSLIV | #TheKickOff pic.twitter.com/18uVQkbPZZ
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 17, 2024
Liverpool had dominated possession and forced plenty of corners, but failed to test Christian Walton before half-time after a curled effort in stoppage-time by Trent Alexander-Arnold sailed over.
Slot replaced Jarell Quansah with Ibrahima Konate at the break and Liverpool emerged with better intent, a goalbound Salah shot being blocked by Greaves before Luis Diaz blazed over.
Penalty appeals were waved away at either end when Liam Delap went down after contact by Virgil van Dijk, but Leif Davis was offside, and Walton was not penalised after he caught Diaz, who had scooped over.
McKenna was forced to substitute the injured Wes Burns, who was fortunate to escape a second yellow for a deliberate first-half handball, as the visitors started to turn the screw.
Jota inexplicably headed wide in the 59th minute from a wonderful Alexander-Arnold delivery, not long after Luke Woolfenden brilliantly denied Alexis Mac Allister, but 60 seconds later the deadlock was broken.
Alexander-Arnold was central to the opener with a superb through-ball to Salah, who found Jota and this time he made no mistake to slot past Walton.
Ipswich supporters responded with encouragement but five minutes later it was 2-0.
Van Dijk picked out Salah with a superb crossfield ball and he exchanged passes with Dominik Szoboszlai before the Liverpool number 11 steered under Walton.
As the Ipswich players tired, further chances were created by the visitors before Alisson saved from home substitute Ali Al-Hamadi late on to prevent a grand finale.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
