Alexander Isak scored twice inside the opening nine minutes as Liverpool beat Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road in the Premier League, giving Andoni Iraola his first win as Liverpool manager.
Isak put Liverpool ahead in the sixth minute and doubled the lead three minutes later. The Swede thought he had completed a hat-trick, but a third goal was ruled out for offside, leaving the score unchanged at half-time and full-time.
Iraola started Ronald Araujo at right-back in place of Jeremie Frimpong, with £123million signing Bradley Barcola named among the substitutes.
"It's nice, we needed this one," Iraola told Sky Sports. "We started really strong. It was another kind of second half, not as good as the first half, but we didn't concede any clear chances."
On Isak, who joined Liverpool for £125million last summer, Iraola said: "He's a massive player for us. My demands will not be about the goals: he's fit, in a good shape and he will produce the numbers. But my fights with him are more about other stuff, how to help the team in other situations. It's good he has played two full games and today a good amount of minutes, scoring the goals." Iraola added that Liverpool's improved pressing, recovering the ball higher up the pitch, had helped create the chances Isak converted.
Barcola shines on Liverpool debut
Barcola made his first Liverpool appearance with a 25-minute cameo on the left after coming on in the second half.
Iraola said Barcola "has had good minutes, a good pass in a counter, a good couple of chances when he was going against the goalkeeper and we haven't found him," adding that the winger "looks confident on the ball as always." The manager said the club had been cautious with Barcola because he had not played competitive minutes since the World Cup.
Araujo impresses at right-back
Araujo, a centre-back by trade, played the full match at right-back and also featured as part of a back three, drawing praise for his display.
Daily Mail reporter Lewis Steele, at Portman Road, said the headlines would go to Isak "and rightly so, but all the forwards deserve praise." He described the first half as the most energetic he had seen Liverpool play for some time, adding that the side had to fight hard in the second half and did so well.
Gakpo provides both assists
Cody Gakpo set up both of Isak's goals. The forward completed 35 of 39 passes, won seven duels, created three chances and made two successful take-ons from 58 touches.
Gakpo has now been directly involved in four Premier League goals this season, one goal and three assists. This century, only Mohamed Salah in 2024-25 has had more goal involvements through Liverpool's opening three league games.
"It was a great game today from our side," Gakpo told Sky Sports. "Still some things to improve still. Much-needed win for us, very happy with the performance." Asked about his partnership with Isak, he said: "We will see. As attackers, we always train together and try to get to know each other even better every time again. Hopefully, beautiful things are ahead. The first win, hopefully the first of many."
VAR check and Isak's Portman Road record
Liverpool had a penalty appeal checked by VAR during the game, but none was awarded.
Isak's disallowed goal continued a remarkable record at the ground. This century, only three players have scored more Premier League goals at Portman Road than Isak, who has five goals there in two games despite never having played for Ipswich.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, said not having had a pre-season made Isak's start difficult and that the striker "would've questioned himself." Redknapp said: "Why can't I do what I was doing at Newcastle? Now he looks like a player that's absolutely full of confidence and fantastic goals. Arne Slot couldn't, but this manager could."
Liverpool move into top half
The win lifted Liverpool to fifth in the Premier League table, the position they finished in last season, while Ipswich sank further into the bottom half.
Newcastle host Bournemouth next
Attention turns to Saturday's early kick-off, when Newcastle United host Bournemouth at St James' Park with the chance to move top of the Premier League.
An AI supercomputer run by betting company Stake predicted a 2-1 win for Newcastle, with Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa scoring either side of a consolation goal from Evanilson, and Elanga named Man of the Match. A goal for Elanga would make him the first Newcastle player to score in each of the club's opening three fixtures of a season since Andy Cole in 1994-95. The prediction has Newcastle's stay at the top lasting only until the conclusion of Saturday's 3pm fixtures, with Manchester City tipped for a heavy win over Coventry.
