🔬 The Debrief as Ipswich dampen Amorim's debut; Liverpool go eight clear | OneFootball

It was a momentous Sunday in the Premier League as Liverpool looked to go eight point clear at the top, and Ruben Amorim took charge of Manchester United for the very first time.

Here's what we made of it all.

What happened? 📝

📸 Richard Pelham - 2024 Getty Images

The main talking point of the day was Ruben Amorim taking charge of Manchester United for the first time, but he couldn't get a win as Ipswich battled back for a 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

He had got off to a dream start with Marcus Rashford opening the scoring against Ipswich after just two minutes. However, there are still plenty of cracks in United's set up, and Ipswich are made of tough stuff, their equaliser coming just before half-time through Omari Hutchinson.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool went eight points clear at top as Arne Slot's incredible start continued with a chaotic 3-2 win at Southampton. They took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai after Saints' Flynn Downes passed him the ball inside the box, but were pegged back before the break.

Andy Robertson conceded a penalty by the tightest of margins, and Adam Armstrong netted the rebound after seeing his spot kick seeing. Saints then took the lead through Mateus Fernandes, who finished well at the end of a rapid counter-attack.

Needing inspiration, Mohamed Salah got to work, bailing out his side like he has so many times with two goals in the final half hour, the second from the spot, to put the Reds even further clear of Manchester City.

Player of the Day 🔥

📸 Michael Steele - 2024 Getty Images

Who else?

Liverpool were nowhere near their best today, with several senior players – notably Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson – looking well off the pace. With Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold also injured, it left only Salah from the old guard to bail out the Reds, which he did with aplomb.

He wasn't hugely involved in the game for large parts, seeing one effort saved by Alex McCarthy in the first-half, but he took control of things when his side needed it most.

Trailing 2-1 and staring down the barrel of a shock loss, he grabbed an equaliser on the hour mark, deftly touching Ryan Gravenberch's searching ball past McCarthy, who did seriously misjudge the ball it must be added.

Seven minutes from time, the Egyptian won it, smashing home from the spot after Yukinari Sugawara handled his cross.

The numbers say it all, as Salah makes it eight consecutive seasons hitting double digits in a league he has made his own.

Surely it's just a matter of time before he signs a new bumper contract.

Photo of the Day 📸

André Onana was United's standout performer today, and this was his standout moment as he somehow denied Ipswich's Liam Delap from yards out with a brilliant save.

Stat of the Day 📊

The Slot Machine shows no sign of breaking down.

What this means 🤔

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Liverpool are eight points clear at the top of the table after their latest win, and Manchester City's 4-0 hammering by Spurs on Saturday. The two title contenders meet next week at Anfield in a game that could have major repercussions.

At the other end of the table, Southampton are at risk of being cast adrift, now five points away from safety, and conceding goals at a worrying rate. There was plenty for Russell Martin to be happy with, but his side shot themselves in the foot for all three goals conceded today.

Like Saints, Ipswich only have one win to their name, but things look far rosier. Their draw with United means they're only in the bottom three on goal difference, and Kieran McKenna's side are proving a match for most.

Not a huge amount can be taken away from Ruben Amorim's first game in charge, with a new system in place, and just days with his players. United remain in the bottom half, sitting in 12th, but are just six points off third in a seriously tight table.

What they said 🗣

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Ruben Amorim was quite calm after his side's draw, noting this is just start of a long journey.

"I think my players were thinking too much, " said the Manchester United boss. "We lost some balls without pressure. But they really, really tried and they want this."

“If we try and just win games and risk nothing I can guarantee next year at the same stage we’ll have the same problem.”

Arne Slot was much happier with his side's second half performance, and stated the obvious regarding the relentless Salah.

"There was not enough urgency to arrive in the box [in the first half], we just kept the ball instead of attacking the box. Although we fell behind in the second half we showed more urgency and intensity.

If you want to win you need to score goals and we know Mo can score," Slot said.

"For me his first goal is the most important as we scored out of nowhere. Then after that it was just waiting for us to score another."

On the other hand, Southampton manager Russell Martin was left ruing his side gifting goals to Liverpool, as another result fell away from them.

My overriding feeling is just frustration and disappointment at the goals we concede. It's so poor. We're playing against a team with such quality and if they produce a moment of magic or score a brilliant team goal, you can accept it a bit more."

Ipswich captain Sam Morsy felt his side might have missed a golden chance for a famous win, but is happy with how his side is progressing.

"We showed a mix of things and we are disappointed not to get the win. Their keeper has made some great saves.

"We have good momentum and are getting better and better. The big thing is we keep improving and that is the culture of the football club."

What's next? 👀

Next weekend is headlined by Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola's first meeting in English football on Sunday, but there is plenty of exciting action elsewhere.

Amorim will take charge of his first United home league game earlier in the day, when Everton visit Old Trafford.

Elsewhere, Chelsea host Aston Villa, and Arsenal travel across London to take on West Ham.

📸 Richard Pelham - 2024 Getty Images