Three things learned from Liverpool's season-opening win over Ipswich Town
- Liverpool came away with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town in their season opener
- Arne Slot had his first real test as the Reds’ boss
- What was learned from Liverpool's opening match?
By Evan Curnew
2. Arne Slot willing to be ruthless with Liverpool players in tactical decisions
Part of Liverpool's opening-half struggles against newly promoted Ipswich Town came from Ipswich winning the second ball from their own long balls over the top. After the half-time break, it was a bit of a shock when Slot had already made a tactical substitution, bringing on Ibrahima Konate for Jarell Quansah.
Post-match, Arne Slot explained his decision to pull Quansah at the half, showing that the Dutch manager does not care how young a player is; he will tell it like it is. [source]
""Not that Jarell [Quansah] lost every duel - many of us lost too many duels. But I think we needed Ibou Konate to win these long balls in the air from their No.9.""
- Arne Slot via TNT Sports
According to FotMob, Quansah won and lost four duels in the opening half, while both van Dijk and Konate won four duels and lost just one.
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