'His poker-face never changed' - national media spot Liverpool difference under Arne Slot

Liverpool's Arne Slot era is up and running, with a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town starting off their Premier League campaign in style on Saturday lunchtime. Goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah did the damage to the newly-promoted Tractor Boys as the Reds stepped up the quality in the second period, creating a hatful of chances either side of the quick-fire double around the hour mark.

As ever, the ECHO was at the game to provide the usual blend of player ratings alongside its big-match verdict, on-the-whistle analysis and live blog. Our colleagues from the national media were also on hand to give their considered takes. Here's a roundup of how they viewed the season opener.

Lewis Steele, of the Daily Mail, scribes: "The style is less heavy-metal and more soft rock as Liverpool look to keep the ball for longer periods and take their time in finding openings. Arne Slot plays a 4-2-3-1 system with Dominik Szoboszlai sitting behind No.9 Diogo Jota here.

"That meant Ipswich’s central defenders were well occupied in the middle, leaving Mo Salah and Luis Diaz with lots of space to exploit. Both of those wingers were Liverpool’s best assets going forward.

"What is Slot like on the touchline? Calmness personified. As the stadium announcer revved up the atmosphere with a pre-match rallying cry, Slot stood with his hands in his pockets and a straight face. His poker-face never changed as Ipswich gave Liverpool a tough time in the first half.

"Overall, Slot is very business-like. He does not want to make it about him, which might explain why he did not play to the crowd and go over to the away fans at full-time. When asked questions on individual players in his press conference, he was keen to not single out anyone."

Writing for the Daily Mirror, Chris McKenna penned: "There were no bear hugs or wild celebrations. Just a little pump of the fist from Arne Slot when Diogo Jota and Mo Salah got the goals to get the new era off to a winning start.

"The new Reds boss promised a little less chaos and a bit more patience from this version of Liverpool under him. There’s also a little less of the touchline dramatics from the Dutchman compared to his predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

"It will all take a bit of getting used to. Much like the Reds needed to in a first-half that was scrappy and peppered with fouls. Maybe to be expected that they wouldn’t have it all their own way at Portman Road with a fan base and club bursting with pride to be back in the Premier League after 22 years away."

Over on The Guardian's page, John Brewin writes: "Martin Zubimendi’s errantly projected No.6 midfield role was filled by Klopp’s last signing, Ryan Gravenberch. Jota played centrally, the goalscorer given licence to drop deeper and supply passes to bottle-blond Luis Diaz and freshly cropped Salah. Darwin Nunez, the puzzle Klopp could not solve, stayed on the bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold made regular, familiar incursions into central midfield.

"A patient buildup does not appear to suit the players Slot has to hand. Liverpool’s best first-half chance came when Luke Woolfenden mistakenly played the ball into Diaz’s path, only for Christian Walton, the goalkeeper, to smother. There was audible impatience from an away support used to nine years of crash, bang, wallop, heavy metal football. The first half was more prog-rock, with attendant difficult time signatures.

"'It’s quite different,' said Salah. '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.' Another hangover from the Klopp era – finding a suitable partner for Virgil van Dijk – reared up when Jarell Quansah was replaced by Ibrahima Konate at the break.

"A tactical decision, confirmed Slot, a quiet touchline presence compared to his predecessor, more darts player stalking the oche than ants-in-pants berserker. He had, though, made himself heard. The passing was crisper, the pressing far more aggressive."

And finally, the ECHO's own Ian Doyle had this to say in his post-match analysis piece: "Liverpool supporters were able to see their latest signing patrolling the pitch impressively in the defensive midfield role at Portman Road. This time last week, though, nobody would have expected that to be Ryan Gravenberch.

"After Martin Zubimendi changed his mind over a move to Anfield, Arne Slot was back to square one in his hunt for reinforcement in what has become a problem transfer in recent years.

"And with Wataru Endo having dropped down the number six pecking order since the Dutchman took over as head coach, Gravenberch – who had started two friendlies in the position – edged ahead of Curtis Jones to line up alongside Alexis Mac Allister in the engine room.

"The 22-year-old is remarkably still the most recent Liverpool incoming almost 12 months after his arrival. And while few then would have expected Gravenberch to become a potential defensive midfield option, Slot’s decision was wholly justified here."