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14:21
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McKenna: 'Lot's of positives'
We showed plenty of good things, the first half was really good, we made it really difficult for Liverpool. We pressed them well, were physical, and aggressive. It was a really positive first-half and that gives us something to build on.
We are not there yet, we know we are going to have to improve over the next few weeks and months. The challenge is to maintain that level of performance for longer.
[We need] to manage things better in the second half, whenever Liverpool got into their stride and scored the first goal - we can certainly manage that period better. Lot's of positives to take, a real good base to build on.
13:57
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Slot: 'Second half was a joy to watch'
Depends on which half! The first taste in the first half was not as expected because they were all on top of us, very aggressive, we couldn't find a rhythm or the ball in behind. Second half was a joy to watch. First thing I said [at half-time] - we don't have to speak about tactics if you lose so many duels. Jarell [Quansah] lost every duel, many of us lost too many duels. We needed Konate to win the long balls for the number nine. That gave us control.
They [Ipswich] put so much energy in the first half, keeping fighting, playing all over the pitch one vs one, I don't think they could keep up that tempo in the second half. If a team plays all over the pitch one vs one and do not play the ball short constantly, then they have those kinds of strikers and wingers. I didn't see them fighting for it [long balls] in the first half, we lost almost every ball. In the second half we were ready and after scoring a goal we already had a good chance.
I don't think our problem in the first half was the midfield. The problem was we lost too many duels, our defenders lost too many and our attackers didn't win enough. We have many good players but if we can find another one we will not hesitate to do so. I don't believe that much in one man, I believe in the team. Mo can score his goals. Mo also needs the team but we have great individuals that can decide the game.
We know it's normal if you're Liverpool that you have a lot of good players. It's also needed. You need good individual performances if the team is playing well to win games. I'm not looking to the end of the season. We have to do everything we can with the defence and the ball.
13:46
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Salah: 'It was quite tough'
It was quite tough today, to be fair, the weather was really warm. It's a tough team, I'm glad we won today, I'm always happy to make a difference When they [Ipswich] play home especially it's quite tough. The crowd is always up. We knew that before the game, we're experienced, so we expected a tough game.
Hopefully, I keep going like this for the whole season. I always help to try to help the team all the time, I'm always happy to score goals or assist.
It's quite different. Jurgen was in the team for eight years, he gave everything, now it's a new manager and new system. It's quite different for all of us, we need to adapt. We just need to know his way of playing and enjoy the football. We don't need to put more pressure on him, we just need to play football and enjoy our games. Let's see in the end.
13:35
12:30
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Crouch: 'Ipswich taking it to Liverpool'
[Ipswich were] so brave. They've taken it to Liverpool and been on the front foot, literally man to man. When the ball goes to feet, they're right on them straight away. But they're doing it with a system, not just running around. Just the small details sent him [Hutchinson] wide. He's led the line well.
12:06
11:54
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'Ipswich are using the crowd'
Ipswich have started very well and are using the crowd to their advantage without creating any clear-cut chances. Jacob Greaves just saw a header go straight into the gloves of Alisson and could have done better. But the home team are getting into some good areas and Liverpool are yet to have a shot on target.
11:50
11:22
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Sheeran: 'I have to leave at HT'
I just hope Ipswich score first because this place will explode! I hope we win, 1-0 and it's scrappy. But I have to leave here at half-time because I'm playing in Serbia tonight. We almost couldn't even come to the game but we had to.
I'm really excited. Driving through town and seeing lots of people in Liverpool shirts and remembering that we're in the Prem. Being able to watch world-class football is great. To go from League One to the Championship to here, we're going to see everything. Everything feels different.
People like success stories like this. it is a grassroots club and it just feels like it's lifted up the town. Ipswich has gone through some tough years, it's great for the area and the county.
11:17
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'No huge surprises'
The atmosphere is building here in Ipswich with lots of fans soaking up the occasion in the sunshine - beers are flowing in the fan park opposite Portman Road. Ed Sheeran seems to have commandeered the pre-match playlist. He was still in primary school when Ipswich last played in the Premier League, a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on the last day of 2001-02. Now he's in the A-Team of British celebrities...
As for Liverpool, there are no huge surprises in the XI - the only one perhaps is that Andy Robertson gets the nod over Kostas Tsimikas at left-back. The Scotland captain is not 100 per cent fit after only playing an hour of pre-season so this will be a big test for him against some pacy Ipswich wingers. Diogo Jota is leading the line as a No 9 for the Reds - and my fantasy football team - so let's see how long he can keep Darwin Nunez out of the team for. It's good to see Jarell Quansah get the nod at centre-half after a fine pre-season.
10:56
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Slot: 'All about getting a result'
Definitely looking forward to it, but it is all about getting a result. The job is the same if you work in Holland or here, you want to prepare in the best possible way. Jurgen left the team in a really good way, full of energy and they always want to work hard. I do think the results were a bit better than the way we played, some wins where the play was not as good. I'm very positive about how we have worked until now. It is good to see that the boys who came in two weeks ago came back really strong.
I don't think of that much. One of the reasons why I joined this club is that they wanted a coach to use the style I wanted to play. The club wanted someone similar to Jurgen and rightly because they had a lot of success playing in this style. We are not the same people, so there may be some difference, but I am hoping and expecting many things will be the same.
Gravenberch starts in the 6 because he has the attributes to play there, he will develop into a 6. Him playing today will help Macca [Mac Allister] play more forward.
10:46
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McKenna: 'A great occasion'
We're excited. It is a great occasion for the club first and foremost. The first game here in the Premier League in 22 years and we want to make the most of it.
It is the core of the group that we have had to be honest, ten of the starting team are making their first starts in the Premier League today. We have seven of the group that have been with us since League One, so it is a fantastic opportunity for those boys. We are still in the process of integrating new signings, Liam [Delap] has come into the team today and we have some players on the bench too that we think will improve us going forward.
I feel like I wanted to be here for sure, I wouldn't say I owed it but I wanted to be here. The club has been amazing with me offering me my first chance in management at 35 years old. We have been on an incredible journey. I wanted to be the one leading this team out in the Premier League this season, it feels like the right thing and the right place to be.
10:29
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'Great levels of excitement'
Suffolk is a little less sleepy this morning. There are great levels of excitement in Ipswich with flags hung from windows and fans in new shirts out milling around in the streets loitering outside the ground, queueing at turnstiles, savouring the tastes Premier League once again.
Portman Road looks handsome and the front of the match day programme says ‘Back in the Prem’. The mood is giddy among the home fans and a new era for the visitors, too. Waiting to see what life after Jurgen Klopp might deliver. Looking forward to a future with Arne Slot at the helm. New dawns collide in East Anglia. What a way to start the first weekend of the Premier League season.
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Key Updates
- SOFASCORE STATS: Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
- WATCH: Salah makes history
- Slot: 'Second half was a joy to watch'
- FULL-TIME: Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
- Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool (Salah 65')
- Ipswich 0-1 Liverpool (Jota 59')
- HALF-TIME: Ipswich 0-0 Liverpool
- KICK-OFF: Ipswich 0-0 Liverpool
- Ipswich Team news - Phillips makes BENCH
- Liverpool Team News - Quansah STARTS
- Here we go again!