Liverpool’s streak of opening-day losses under new manager marks an end.
Liverpool began their 2024-25 Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road on August 17. Mohamed Salah was the star player, scoring a goal and providing an assist, helping Liverpool secure an early lead in the points table and giving new manager Arne Slot a winning start.

This win marked the end of Liverpool’s streak of opening-day losses under new managers in the 21st century. Previous managers like Rafael Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers, and Jürgen Klopp all lost their first matches in charge. Salah assisted Diogo Jota in the 60th minute to open the scoring. Five minutes later, Salah scored a brilliant goal, making it his ninth goal in an opening match of the season, and setting a new Premier League record. He surpassed EPL legends Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, and Frank Lampard, who each had eight opening-day goals. Additionally, Salah broke Rooney’s record for the most goal contributions (goals and assists) on opening day, with 14 contributions in his 350th appearance for Liverpool.

Playing their first competitive game since Klopp’s departure, Liverpool fielded a strong lineup. Arne Slot opted for a 4-2-1-3 formation, with Salah, Jota, and Luis Díaz leading the attack. Young center-back Jarell Quansah started alongside Virgil Van Dijk, with Ibrahima Konaté coming on at halftime due to injury concerns.