Match reportJota and Salah strike to give Liverpool opening-day victory at Ipswich

Arne Slot's first competitive match as Reds head coach ended in victory after a much-improved second-half performance from his side at Portman Road.

Jota opened the scoring on the hour mark and Salah then doubled the lead five minutes later to set a new record for goals scored on the opening weekend of a Premier League season (nine).

Team news

The inclusion of Andy Robertson at left-back was the only alteration to the Liverpool side that defeated Sevilla in a friendly at Anfield last weekend.

Alisson, Van Dijk, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jota (Gakpo, 79), Robertson (Tsimikas, 79), Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold (Bradley, 77), Quansah (Konate, 46).

Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott.

First half

The hosts began with great intensity on their return to the top flight after a 22-year absence. Jarell Quansah was needed to slide in and block a shot from Omari Hutchinson that appeared to be on target inside the opening two minutes.

At the other end, Ryan Gravenberch clipped a clever ball over the top for Salah to meet – but the Egyptian was unable to bring it under control.

Jacob Greaves headed straight at Alisson Becker from a free-kick before Ipswich's best chance of the period arrived in minute 32 when Hutchinson led a counter-attack after defending a corner, ending it with a finish saved by the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Luis Diaz sensed an opportunity as Luke Woolfenden's attempted interception nearly broke to the attacker in the box, though Christian Walton was quickly off his line to gather.

An Axel Tuanzebe header landed on top of Alisson's net and Trent Alexander-Arnold blazed over to end a half that Ipswich would have been happier with.

Second half

Liverpool made a change at the break, with Ibrahima Konate coming on for Quansah in the heart of the defence.

Ipswich thought they had a penalty when Liam Delap was upended by Virgil van Dijk but Leif Davis proved to be a few inches offside during the build-up.

Nevertheless, there were brighter signs from the Reds following the interval, and Alexander-Arnold was central to the improvement.

A sweeping move – started by the No.66 – ended with Diaz lifting the ball over the advancing Walton but also the crossbar.

The pressure on the Ipswich back line continued, however. Dominik Szoboszlai and then Alexis Mac Allister had shots blocked before Jota was devastated to head wide from a whipped Alexander-Arnold delivery.

The striker would make no mistake with his next chance a minute later, though. Alexander-Arnold's defence-splitting pass found Salah, who proceeded to nudge the ball into Jota's path right in front of goal.

Slot's men struck again while they had a spring in their step. Salah, who had earlier chased down a long pass from Van Dijk, looked to play a one-two with Szoboszlai inside the box but was able to poke the ball past Walton after a favourable deflection.

Liverpool's lead could have increased but they were firmly in control of the closing stages to make sure they posted three points in the 2024-25 Premier League at the first opportunity.