Klopp famously complained about Liverpool frequently being scheduled for 12:30 pm kick-offs, even going so far as to label them a “crime.” Yet, in Liverpool’s first Premier League match since Klopp’s departure, the team was once again set for an early start. They faced a determined Ipswich Town, who were playing their first top-flight game in over 20 years, and secured a 2-0 victory.

Liverpool’s goals came within a five-minute span in the second half, with Diogo Jota breaking the deadlock at the 60-minute mark and Mohamed Salah doubling the lead shortly after in the 65th minute. However, the Reds struggled during the first half, prompting Slot to make a decisive change by substituting Jarrel Quansah at halftime to improve the team’s fluidity.

Slot remarked, “I learned today why Jurgen Klopp didn’t like 12.30 kick-offs! I didn’t like them at half-time! I also learned that it’s true that there are no easy games in the Premier League and that we need to play like we did in the second half if we want to win. We lost far too many duels. They were very aggressive – which led to three yellow cards – but they were aggressive in a good way.”

“We didn’t cope with that well enough in my opinion. I said at half-time: ‘If you want to win here you need to step up in terms of winning your duels first and make a fight out of it.’ When we started winning our duels that gave us a lot of possession and led to our two goals.”

Liverpool will return to action on Sunday with a 4:30 pm kick-off against Brentford, followed by a match against Manchester United on September 1st.

Liverpool performance and stats

Liverpool is currently 3rd in the Premier League with 3 points.

It has a positive goal difference after scoring 2 goals and conceding 0.​

Liverpool will play the next match in Premier League against Brentford on Sunday 25th of August in Liverpool.​