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Arne Slot stat that hasn't been reached since 2008/09 shows huge 'intent'

Arne Slot stat that hasn't been reached since 2008/09 shows huge 'intent'

Thomas Barnes 21 Aug 2024, 14:27 Last modified: 20 Aug 2024

Arne Slot's Liverpool had 50 touches in the opposition box against Ipswich on Saturday in the Dutchman's first competitive game as Liverpool boss.

This number hasn't been recorded by any manager on their first Premier League outing since the 2008/09 season and is a massive sign of intent of the dominant style of football Slot is trying to instil into his players.

Diogo Jota and Mohammed Salah netted in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Premier League newcomers Ipswich last weekend giving their new manager a perfect start to life in the Premier League.

Arne Slot watched his side struggle to cause any problems to Kieran McKenna's team in the first half on Saturday noon but the Dutchman's ability to be 'flexible' and 'clinical' in his substitutions and tactical tweaks saw his side produce a performance that portrayed a sign of things to come in the Slot era.

Ipswich struggled to keep up with the Reds after the interval, with the result proving to be generous to the home side with the amount of chances Liverpool managed to create.

© IMAGO - Football - FA Premier League - Ipswich Town FC v Liverpool FC IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 17, 2024: Liverpool s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda IPSWICH Portman Road SUFFOLK ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2024-08-17-Ipswich_Liverpool-87

"We don't have to speak about tactics if you lose so many duels, and that's what we did.

"It's not to say Jarell lost every duel, many of us lost too many duels, but i think we needed Ibou [Konate] to win these long balls through the air. So that helped and gave us control and I don't think they [Ipswich] could keep up with us in the second half," Slot said.

AN IMPROVEMENT IN PRESSING MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE AGAINST IPSWICH TOWN

If you were to ask what was different about the second-half perfromance from the first, you'd probably get an array of answers but Alexis Mac Allister believed an improvement in Liverpool's press played a key part in helping Slot's side take all three points away from Portman Road.

"I think it was more about the last step when we were pressing.

"Maybe [in the] first half we were not at 100 per cent but in the second half we showed the team we can be and we are really happy with our second-half performance," Mac Allister analysed.

© IMAGO - Ipswich, England, 17th August 2024. Liverpools manager Arne Slot with Liverpools Alexis Mac Allister during the Premier League match at Portman Road, Ipswich. Picture credit should read: David Klein / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI-3259-0123

Mac Allister went on to describe what it's been like working with Slot in the recent weeks and he stated that although there is a different structure being implemented, the principles in place remain very alike to those Jurgen Klopp carried.

"I think this manager asks more to stay in the position, and that's maybe like a different structure.

"But the principles are the same. We know that defensively we have to run, we have to give our 100 per cent, the last two steps are so important and that can make the difference.

"There is a couple of changes, not much, but I think Arne can help us to be a better team," Mac Allister said.

Liverpool now look ahead to welcoming Brentford to Anfield on Sunday in Arne Slot's first competitive game at his new home and he more than anyone will be hoping to reach similar numbers in terms of touches in the box as his side did last weekend.