Arne Slot gets what Jurgen Klopp had been missing and it could be the difference for Liverpool

No wonder Ed Sheeran did a runner at half-time. Ipswich Town’s most famous fan must have known what was coming when he departed midway through the start of the new Arne Slot era at Liverpool. The Suffolk songster had seen the Reds appear very much a work in progress against a spirited home team before having to jet off for a gig in Belgrade later in the evening.

But before he’d even left terra firma, the constant collaborator had missed a trademark show-stealing moment from Liverpool’s resident gamebreaker.

And it was a reminder of why Diogo Jota was so sorely missed when the Reds’ ran out of steam in their attempt to give Jurgen Klopp a glorious farewell last season.

Jota had only moments earlier spurned a glorious chance by glancing wide Trent Alexander-Arnold’s inviting cross when he was found unmarked in front of goal from Mohamed Salah’s square pass.

The Portuguese didn’t need a second invitation, and the celebrations that followed were laced with relief as much as delight after the Reds had laboured for much of the previous hour on a baking afternoon.

It was a repeat of three years earlier, when Jota had scored the first goal of the season in similar circumstances at another promoted side, Norwich City.

And it proved the turning point, Liverpool growing in confidence as Ipswich, the emotions of the occasion perhaps catching up with them, began to wilt.

Salah, whose penchant for opening-day goals remains unsurpassed, netted a second and only some desperate defending and overly-elaborate approach play denied Liverpool a few more. An exhausted Ipswich were well beaten come the final whistle.

For Jota himself, it was an early statement of intent in the battle to be the Reds’ chief striker this season, building on his excellent volley during the pre-season friendly win over Sevilla last weekend.

Cody Gakpo was limited to just a brief cameo as a late substitute while Darwin Nunez didn’t get that far, remaining on the bench. Keeping Jota fit, never the easiest task, will be crucial this term.

Already Slot is creating landmarks in the dugout, becoming the first Liverpool boss in the Premier League era to win his first game in charge, the last to do so being Graeme Souness way back in 1991.

It’s a knack the Dutchman will want to maintain as he starts to navigate a way through his own surrounds. Thanks primarily to Jota, this was an ultimately encouraging first step.