Arne Slot shows his ruthless side as he reveals BRUTAL reason for subbing Jarell Quansah at half-time – as Liverpool centre back looks crushed on bench in win over Ipswich

Arne Slot has given the brutal reason behind his decision to take off centre-back Jarell Quansah midway through Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Ipswich.

The new Reds manager was speaking after a win in his first game in charge but his side were pressed hard by the Tractor Boys who were playing a top-flight game for the first time in 22 years.

But two goals in five second-half minutes from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah decided the game and the margin could easily have been greater as Liverpool began to purr in the second half and subdue the Ipswich side.

Slot had the satisfaction of keeping a clean sheet as his side weathered what always promised to be a tough first game at Portman Road and survived a thrilling first half from the home side.

And the Dutchman showed his ruthless side shortly after the final whistle, targeting 21-year-old Quansah, who he hung up on after just 45 minutes.

The defender looked devastated as he sat on the visitors’ bench after being substituted at half-time.

Liverpool began their 2024-25 campaign with an away win at Ipswich on Saturday

“The first thing I said was that we don’t have to talk about tactics if we lose so many games,” he said.

‘Jarell lost all the duels, too many of us lost too many duels. We needed Konate to win the long balls for the number nine. That gave us control.

‘They put so much energy into the first half, kept fighting, playing all over the field 1-on-1, I don’t think they could keep that pace up in the second half.’

Asked if the decision to bring off his centre-back so early was tactical, Slot simply said: “Yes.”

Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich players took their cue from a raucous crowd and made a positive start, daring to play out from the back as has been their trademark style on the rise from League One.

Jacob Greaves, making his debut, forced Alisson into the first save with a powerful header from Sam Morsy’s free-kick in from the sideline. The Liverpool goalkeeper made another fine save in the first half, denying Omari Hutchinson a goal after Liam Delap cleared a corner.

Liverpool’s front four forced errors when pressing at times, won possession in promising areas and a number of corners, but created little.

Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton bravely stepped out to Luis Diaz, who pounced on a chance to capitalise on Luke Woolfenden’s interception, and Trent Alexander-Arnold fired home from 20 yards when he had hoped to find the target just before half-time.

That was all until the second half saw a marked improvement in the form of the team. With Ibrahima Konate replacing Quansah at the back, they pushed forward more and dominated the ball. They passed the ball more accurately, forcing Ipswich back to the edge of their own box, where they engaged in desperate defending.

Diaz beat the offside flag but his shot was high and Jota headed just wide as the pressure began to force openings as Ipswich’s adrenaline ebbed.

Ibrahima Konate (right, pictured with Alisson) came on as a centre-back at half-time.

Diogo Jota scored Liverpool’s first goal of the Slot era with a fine finish in the 60th minute

Mo Salah, after assisting Jota for Liverpool’s first goal, scored his team’s second in the 65th minute

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna waved to the crowd after the final whistle on Saturday.

Jota then scored on the hour mark, finishing clinically from a well-organised move down the right involving Alexander-Arnold and Salah, who then got Liverpool’s second five minutes later, linking up with Dominik Szoboszlai and capitalising on a useful toe-kick that was deflected off Leif Davis.

There could have been several more. Walton made a fabulous save against Conor Bradley in stoppage time.

As it was, two were enough to give the Reds a winning start, although Quansah, who looked shattered while sitting on the visiting bench, will be wondering whether he will be involved in a potential title challenge at Anfield.