4 Reasons to be optimistic following Liverpool's first win under Arne Slot

Liverpool made a winning start to both their new Premier League campaign but also the Arne Slot era officially began in earnest with something that Jurgen Klopp or Brendan Rodgers could not do on their debuts, secure three points.

While it was not the cleanest of performances, especially in the first half, the Reds' class and system eventually shown through in what would become a comfortable victory in the end.

I've found four things from that opening day win that should give the club and fans hope as we move forward in the next weeks and months. Let's take a look.

1. Ryan Gravenberch shines in defensive midfield

Of the new four new midfield arrivals last summer it was Gravenberch that struggled the most to establish himself within the squad.

It was injuries, patchy form and inconsistent playing time that combined to make his debut season a topsy-turvy one at best.

However, we all see the potential in the young Dutch midfielder as he clearly has the talent to be a diffrence maker. I recently wrote that Slot could be the man to unlock Gravenberch and the Ipswich win showed this could truly be the case.

He was everywhere on Saturday getting involved in breaking play up but also on the ball with his dynamic vision and technical skills. He was constantly trying to move the side forward.

It was the kind of dynamic performance from a No. 6 that we did not see a lot from Wataru Endo or even Fabinho later on his Liverpool tenure. This could be the start of something if he keeps getting starts to build on this.