Liverpool began life in the Premier League under Arne Slot on Saturday as they travelled to newly promoted Ipswich Town.
It was a tricky looking fixture for the Reds, with positivity surrounding the Tractor Boys following two consecutive promotions.
And things didn’t start especially well for Liverpool, with the home team having the better of the first-half.
Slot made a change at half-time, though, and while Jarell Quansah didn’t look too happy to be taken off, the switch appeared to help the Reds.
From thereon-in, Liverpool were brilliant, showcasing exactly what fans can look forward to with their new head coach at helm.
Peter Crouch notes different Liverpool approach
There were obviously reasons behind Liverpool starting slowly at Portman Road. The home stadium were bang up for it and that energy transmitted to the team.
Beyond the electric atmosphere, though, the pitch played a real part in the Reds looking slightly sluggish.
As we saw in pre-season, Liverpool are going to want to keep the ball a little more and for a little longer than they did with Jurgen Klopp at the helm.
But as the ball stuck on the pitch, it made Slot’s team look as though they were just a yard off the pace.
READ MORE: Peter Crouch admits to being ‘surprised’ by something Arne Slot did in Liverpool vs Ipswich
And speaking on that at half-time, former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch noted that this more ‘patient’ approach had led to the Reds being ‘caught’ a couple of times.
“It’s a slightly new way of playing,” the pundit said on TNT Sports.
“They’re passing it around at the back, they’re definitely more patient than what we’re used to, but their main threat is when they hit those long balls, trying to find Salah and Diaz one vs one.
“They do like to have a slower build up and they’ve been caught a few times doing it,” added Crouch.
Liverpool hit their stride in second-half
You could see right from the off at Portman Road what Liverpool are going to do a little differently this season.
However, it’s fair to say that when Crouch made his comments at half-time, things were not really working for the Reds.
From that point on, though, Liverpool were so much better. And in actual fact, we got a much better view of what the Reds will be under Slot.
The passing was so much crisper, the triangles were there and the movement was absolutely exceptional.
Liverpool went from looking like they were never going to score, to looking probable to get a goal every time they came forward. So much to be excited about.
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