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Liverpool FC manager Arne Slot. (Picture Credit: AP)
Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss, is just the second Reds manager in the Premier League era to record a victory on his league debut.
Arne Slot made his Premier League debut as manager on Saturday (August 17) during Liverpool’s match against Ipswich Town. And in his first match itself, the Dutchman equalled a 26-year-old record. Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager for the 2024–25 season, became only the second Liverpool manager after Gérard Houllier in the Premier League’s history to record a victory on his league debut.
Houllier, who was invited to become joint team manager of Liverpool together with Roy Evans, had achieved the feat in August 1998.
Before succeeding Klopp as Liverpool manager, Slot made a name for himself as Feyenoord boss. He guided the Rotterdam-based club to the Eredivisie title in the 2022–23 season and won a total of 98 out of 150 matches played in all competitions.
In his first match as Liverpool manager in the Premier League, thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah, the Reds managed to secure a 2-0 win on away enemy territory.
Slot is the only new face at Anfield as of now because Liverpool is the only side in the Premier League yet to make a signing in the transfer window.
The need for some fresh faces was shown in a sloppy and slow first 45 minutes on the ball.
However, Slot’s half-time team talk did the trick, as the Reds were a different side after the break and could have ran out far more convincing winners.
Ipswich, on the other hand, were riding the crest of a wave after back-to-back promotions and a return to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, but they were given an early lesson in the gulf in quality between the Championship and Premier League.
Things will not get any easier for Ipswich next weekend when they travel to defending champions Manchester City.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have the chance to build up some early momentum under Slot.
Either side of a trip to Manchester United next month, they face Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Crystal Palace in their next six Premier League games before the October international break.
