IPSWICH, England: Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot began with a 2-0 victory over promoted Ipswich on Saturday, with Mohamed Salah netting the second goal to break a Premier League scoring record.
Salah poked home a finish from close range in the 65th minute to take his tally of goals in the opening round of a Premier League season to nine, breaking a tie he had with a trio of English soccer greats in Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Frank Lampard.
Five minutes earlier, Salah set up Diogo Jota for the first goal as Liverpool improved after a slow first half in their first competitive game under Slot, who replaced longtime manager Jurgen Klopp during the offseason.
While Liverpool joined Manchester United — a 1-0 winner over Fulham on Friday — in making a triumphant start to the season, it was an early lesson for Ipswich, whose most famous supporter, pop star Ed Sheeran, was cheering the team on from a VIP box at Portman Road.
This is Ipswich’s first season in the topflight since 2002 and the team look sure to entertain, even if they might concede plenty of goals in the process with their open, expansive style.
There were five more games later Saturday, including Arsenal — the runner-up in the past two seasons — hosting Wolverhampton.
Reigning champion Manchester City begin their title defense at Chelsea on Sunday.
