Quickfire Isak double downs Ipswich
Alexander Isak scored twice in the opening nine minutes to give Liverpool a 2-0 victory at Ipswich Town on Friday, earning new manager Andoni Iraola his first Premier League win. Cody Gakpo provided the assist for both goals as the Reds secured their first three points of the season at the third attempt.
Isak opened the scoring in the sixth minute, collecting a pass from Gakpo and firing past Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. Three minutes later, Gakpo's outside-of-the-boot through-ball released Isak, who rounded Jacob Greaves before slotting under Scherpen for his second. The Sweden international was denied a hat-trick in the 33rd minute when an offside flag ruled out a goal set up by Florian Wirtz.
"We were talking about starting the game well," Isak told Sky Sports. "It was perfect for us to get those two quick goals."
Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot after Liverpool's title defence faltered last season, described the win as a relief. "We needed this win," he told Sky Sports. "It was also nice to get a clean sheet and control the match. The second half was not as good as the first, but we didn't concede any chances."
Gakpo's key role
Gakpo, who was the subject of a transfer bid by Manchester City this week according to The Straits Times, produced a standout performance. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk praised the Dutchman: "Two great balls from Cody, who was outstanding," he told Sky Sports. "I said before the transfer window closed that he is important for us and will be this season. He showed it today again."
ESPN reported that Gakpo had been close to leaving the club, with The Sun adding that Liverpool only kept him after failing to agree a fee for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh. Gakpo's two assists took his tally to three in the opening three league matches, along with one goal.
Barcola debut and defensive solidity
Iraola handed a debut to record signing Bradley Barcola, who came on as a 64th-minute substitute for Victor Munoz. Barcola, recruited from Paris Saint-Germain for £100 million, became Liverpool's third £100m-plus capture of the summer, according to The Sun.
The win moved Liverpool to fifth in the Premier League table with five points, while Ipswich remain on three points after their second consecutive defeat. Liverpool kept their first clean sheet of the season after drawing 2-2 in their opening two matches against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Ronald Araujo made his first start for Liverpool at right-back, a change that NBC Sports noted was part of Iraola's lineup adjustments. Alisson Becker was credited with several saves and a clean sheet in the Liverpool Echo's player ratings.
Controversial moments
Ipswich felt defender Jeremy Jacquet should have been shown a second yellow card for a tackle on Emersonn, which was not even deemed a foul by the referee, as reported by NewsBytes. Later, Liverpool were denied a penalty when Dominik Szoboszlai was upended by Leif Davis, but VAR showed Szoboszlai was offside in the build-up.
Ipswich substitute Jack Clarke had a shot deflected wide by Issa Diop late on, but the hosts rarely threatened after the early setback. Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil saw his team produce a spirited response after the nightmare start, with rte.ie noting they will look to bounce back at Crystal Palace next week.
Looking ahead
Liverpool's attention now turns to their Champions League opener at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, while Ipswich travel to Selhurst Park on September 12 to face Crystal Palace.