Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna says his players are now more confident they can compete in the Premier League following an opening day 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Portman Road.

Seven of the Blues' starting XI had been part of the League One promotion team, while 10 were making their full Premier League debuts. McKenna's men weren't overawed by the occasion though and gave as good as they got against the star-studded visitors in a goalless first half played amidst an electric atmosphere.

It was the Fermanagh natives first game managing in the Premier League after guiding them to back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons.

"I think there were a lot of positives to take, of course mostly in the first half," said McKenna.

"We made it a really difficult game for Liverpool. We pressed really well, our organisation was really good, we were physical, we were aggressive, we were brave out of possession. In possession we did a lot of good things as well. We found a really good mixture between showing our bravery and composure to build short passes, but also use the physical presence that we had on the top line in Wes (Burns) and Liam (Delap).

"I think we gave a really, really strong team a lot of problems. I think we showed in that first half all of the ingredients we're going to need to have a good season.

"Of course the challenge for us then is that we have to be able to do that again for longer. We have to be able to do that for 90 minutes or, in the periods where we can't be like that, we have to find ways to manage the game.

"There are a lot more positives (than negatives) to take from the game. Of course the second half was difficult. Liverpool kicked into their stride and the game got away from us, but I think the players should be really proud of their efforts and the way they managed to step up.

Asked why he felt his side struggled more in the second half, the Blues boss said: "It was a number of things. There wasn't huge things tactically different, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) played a little bit higher on the right-hand side, so there were a few little adjustments.

"I think our physical level dropped, that's understandable, one, because of the efforts we put into the first half and, two, we had quite a few players out there playing their first ever game of Premier League football, so there was an adjustment to the intensity, three, we have a few who haven't completed the full pre-season who probably were a little bit undercooked going into today.

"Liverpool, of course, credit to them. They showed their quality, in their top line especially and their ability to find the space in behind for their fast runners. 

"The biggest thing for us in terms of lessons is, one, finding that level of execution in the first half to get the goal that I don't think would have been undeserved, and, two, managing the period in the second half when Liverpool were in full flow and playing really well better so we can stay in the game. Had it stayed 1-0 we would have the possibility of pushing late in the game.

"You have to respect the level of opponent and the jump for our players. There's not too much to criticise them on, but there are details we can improve on from the second half that will give us a better chance to stay dominant for longer."

Town's baptism of fire continues with a trip to four-in-a-row champions Manchester City next weekend.

"The way the fixtures came out, with Liverpool and Man City first two games, we took as a real positive," said McKenna.

"We know that it's going to give us a real good insight into the top echelons of the league and club football in the world.

"We're right in at the deep end, but we feel like that can hopefully fast-track our development and our adjustment to this league.

This was, of course, Ipswich's first game of Premier League football in 22 years. A crowd of more than 30,000 created an electric atmosphere that the players really fed of.

"The supporters were fantastic," said McKenna. "We've had some great atmospheres here, but there was moments in the first half that were right up there with anything we've had.