Mohamed Salah has 'come back in even BETTER shape than usual', says Andy Robertson as Liverpool star reaps the benefits of a football-free summer with superb display against Ipswich

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  • Mohamed Salah's strike against Ipswich Town was his ninth opening day goal
  • The Egyptian played a starring role as Liverpool beat Tractor Boys 2-0 on Sunday
  • LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday

Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and Mohamed Salah scoring on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

He is now 32 and his contract expires next summer but the Liverpool forward is still the main man at Anfield.

The Egyptian King has now scored more goals on matchday one than any player in Premier League history, with his second-half strike against Ipswich the ninth time he has started a campaign with a bang. Remember when some pundits called him a one-season wonder?

Salah also teed up Diogo Jota for Liverpool's opener with an unselfish assist which means he is now on 300 goal involvements in exactly 350 Reds games. His record-breaking ruthlessness ruined the Portman Road party on Ipswich's big day back in the top flight.

Defender Andy Robertson reckons Salah is showing no signs of slowing down.

Mohamed Salah was at his brilliant best for Liverpool as he bagged a goal and an assist against Ipswich

Mohamed Salah was at his brilliant best for Liverpool as he bagged a goal and an assist against Ipswich

Mohamed Salah was at his brilliant best for Liverpool as he bagged a goal and an assist against Ipswich

The Egyptian winger's contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 Premier League season

The Egyptian winger's contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 Premier League season

Salah's second-half strike against Ipswich ensured he entered Premier League record books

Salah's second-half strike against Ipswich ensured he entered Premier League record books 

 'Every year he comes back in even better shape than he was the season before,' said the Scotland captain. 'He was one of the players who had a longer summer which was hugely beneficial to him. He managed to get a full pre-season under his belt and looks fit and sharp.

MATCH FACTS

IPSWICH (4-2-3-1): Walton 6.5; Tuanzebe 6 (Szmodics 74min, 5), Woolfenden 7, Greaves 7, Davis 7; Morsy 6, Luongo 6 (Taylor 65, 5); Burns 5.5 (Johnson 57, 5), Chaplin 5.5 (Harness 65, 5), Hutchinson 7; Delap 6.5 (Al-Hamadi 74, 5). Booked: Woolfenden, Hutchinson, Burns. Manager: Kieran McKenna 7.

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Alisson 6; Alexander-Arnold 8 (Bradley 77), Quansah 5 (Konate 46, 6.5), Van Dijk 7, Robertson 6 (Tsimikas 79); Gravenberch 7.5, Mac Allister 7; SALAH 8.5, Szoboszlai 7.5, Diaz 7; Jota 7.5 (Gakpo 79). Scorers: Jota 60, Salah 65. Booked: Gakpo. Manager: Arne Slot 8.

Referee: Tim Robinson 5. Attendance: 30,014.

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'He was excellent, especially in the second half when he carried us over the line.

'Mo looks after his body exceptionally well. He's a model professional and someone everyone looks up to. He leaves no stone unturned and that's why he's still in incredible shape.

'Long may that continue. If our main man is playing like that then it's going to help the team.'

Salah, who unlike many of his team-mates was not away at an international tournament this summer, was the driving force in getting the Arne Slot era off to a flying start. But others deserve credit, especially the new boss for the half-time tweaks that won the game. Slot was bold in changing his defenders as he thought Jarell Quansah lost too many duels.

Ipswich are due praise for their first-half performance as Kieran McKenna's men — 10 of whom were starting their first Premier League game — put in a fearless display. But the Tractor Boys were helpless as Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Co started to link-up with slick passing. Asked what changed at the break, Robertson added: 'He (Slot) wasn't happy but we knew that.

'He tried to help us see how we could be a bit better on the ball and get a bit closer to the ball when they had it.

'He can raise his voice and tell you he isn't happy but we're trying to get solutions of how we can do it better, showing clips and things like that.

'Arne and his staff have been very hands-on from day one with lots of meetings, trying to get their ideas across, which is tough in a tournament year with people coming back at different times. It's not going to be perfect from day one but we're trying to implement what he wants from us.

'We're all listening and there's a lot of team and individual meetings, just trying to be the best version of ourselves. Credit to them for all the work. They have gone above and beyond so far.'

There has been a lot of chatter among fans about Liverpool failing to make a single first-team signing this summer, but Robertson reiterated the club's belief that they already have a group capable of challenging for the title. 'We have an unbelievably strong squad,' he said.

Andy Robertson had plenty of praise for Salah and said the winger came back from the off-season in excellent shape

Andy Robertson had plenty of praise for Salah and said the winger came back from the off-season in excellent shape

Salah had the benefit of not being involved in any international tournaments in the off-season

Salah had the benefit of not being involved in any international tournaments in the off-season

'Look at the bench today and even the lads who didn't travel — we have a fantastic squad and the quality was shown a lot in the second half.

'Certain positions are spoken about but I thought people were really good and stepped up to the plate. We have a lot of quality in every position and if that is the squad that we go forward with then I believe that is good enough to compete.

'Everyone wants new signings but I think the squad we have just now is incredibly strong and if we don't make any signings, we're in a good shape to crack on for the rest of the season.

'We've been in the game long enough now that we know people want you replaced and people want new signings. People want younger faces after seeing a good 15 minutes in one game or whatever — that's the way football is.

'That's the industry that we're in. We just try to block that out. We know the quality that we have and it is about showing that on a weekly basis.'

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