Liverpool boss Arne Slot reveals what he told players at half time during Ipswich win
Liverpool news: Arne Slot has opened up after guiding his side to a 2-0 victory over Ipswich at Portman Road
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Arne Slot has opened up after guiding his Liverpool side to a 2-0 victory over Ipswich in their Premier League opener on Saturday.
The Reds were kept at bay for the first hour, with Ipswich defending well during the first 60 minutes.
However, Liverpool eventually broke the deadlock through Diogo Jota - who was picked up top instead of Darwin Nunez.
And Mohamed Salah added a second for Liverpool, with the winger netting his ninth goal on the opening day.
Liverpool news: Arne Slot has opened up after guiding his side to a 2-0 victory over Ipswich at Portman Road
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Liverpool were drastically better after the break, having initially struggled to break Ipswich down.
And Slot, speaking to TNT Sports, has now opened up on what he told players to help turn their performance around.
"First thing was we don't have to speak about tactics if you don't lose so many duels," he said.
"I think we needed to win the long balls through the air. That helped and gave us control. I don't think Ipswich could keep up with the tempo in the second half."
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He continued: "If a team plays all over the pitch 1v1, do not always play the ball short constantly.
"I didn't see them fighting for it in the first half, we lost almost every long ball.
"In the second half they were ready and then gas opened up and you could see we can play quite good football."
Slot also lavished praise on Salah, though denied that the 32-year-old would be the club's 'main man' because he's keen for it to be a team effort.
"I don't believe that much in one man, I believe in the team more than the individual," he added.
"He can score his goals because of good runs, good assists.
"I think Mo also needs the team but we also have more creative individuals who can decide the game."
Salah made history with his goal, with the Egypt international netting for the ninth time on the opening day.
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Liverpool news: Diogo Jota opened the scoring for the Reds in their Premier League win over Ipswich
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The veteran reacted to the win by saying: "It was quite tough today to be fair, the weather was really warm.
"It's a tough team, I'm glad we won today, I'm always happy to make a difference.
"When they play home especially it's quite tough. The crowd is always up. We knew that before the game, we're experienced, so we expected a tough game.
"Hopefully I keep going like this for the whole season! I always help to try to help the team all the time, I'm always happy to score goals or assist."
Liverpool news: Mohamed Salah celebrates his goal against Ipswich at Portman Road
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On his new boss, he added: "It's quite different.
"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. We just need to know his way of playing and enjoy the football.
"We don't need to put more pressure on him, we just need to play football and enjoy our games. Let's see in the end."
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