Alexander Isak Shines with Brace in Liverpool Victory

Alexander Isak says the worst of his Liverpool struggles are over. On Friday night at Portman Road, he played like it.

Nine minutes. Two chances. Two goals. A 2-0 win at Ipswich and a first victory for Andoni Iraola as Liverpool manager, driven by the £125 million striker who was supposed to transform this team last season but instead spent it battling his own body.

Isak arrived from Newcastle United for a British-record fee and then limped through an injury-ravaged first campaign at Anfield, finishing with just four goals in 22 appearances. That kind of return weighs on a centre-forward, especially one carrying that price tag.

"It was not easy. It was a long injury, a difficult season in general," the Sweden striker told Sky Sports. "I was thinking: I want to have a good World Cup firstly and then to start the season well, which I feel like I've done now. That season is kind of behind me, but it wasn't easy."

Right now, it looks very much behind him. His double at Ipswich lifts him to three goals in three Premier League games this season. The numbers are starting to match the reputation.

Iraola’s first win, Isak’s new start

For Iraola, this was a night he badly needed. Two games without a win had nudged questions to the surface about how quickly Liverpool could adapt to his methods. Isak answered some of them.

"Yes, with Alex, if he is fit, if he is available, if he is in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers," Iraola said afterwards.

The Basque coach, though, made it clear his expectations stretch beyond the scoreline.

"My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably will be about other things. I will demand other things so we can play well, because if we play well we are in good positions and the goals will come."

"He has to contribute towards the collective and knowing when everyone helps, after the goals and assists will come."

On this evidence, the partnership between system and striker is beginning to click. Isak pressed, linked, stretched the game. When the chances arrived, he finished with a cold certainty that had been missing last year.

Gakpo the creator, Liverpool’s almost-departed man

Isak took the headlines, but Cody Gakpo quietly delivered the performance of a player Liverpool simply could not afford to lose.

Tottenham and Manchester City both circled the Netherlands international before the transfer deadline. Liverpool said no. On this showing, you can see why.

Gakpo set up both of Isak’s goals, first with a sharp, incisive through-ball that sliced Ipswich open, then with an even more audacious assist – an outside-of-the-boot pass threaded perfectly into Isak’s stride for the second inside nine minutes.

"I had no doubt with Cody. He has been very good all the preseason, has started very well the season, producing numbers," Iraola said.

After creating the goals, Gakpo finished the match as a central striker, asked to help lock the game down and manage Liverpool’s lead.

"After the two assists, he finished as a number nine to help us close the game and I think it's good to have Cody because he can play in the three positions up top. To have him in this place, for the beginning of the season, it's good."

"I think Cody knows how much we value him, I think there is no doubt. I rate him very highly."

Versatility, end product and tactical intelligence: Gakpo gave Iraola all three in one night.

Barcola’s first glimpse of Anfield life

There was another subplot on the Liverpool bench. Bradley Barcola, the £123 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain, watched the early storm from the sidelines before making his debut on 64 minutes.

The France winger, one of the headline arrivals of the summer window, had only just completed his move this week. Iraola used him cautiously, easing him into the rhythm of English football with the game already leaning Liverpool’s way.

His cameo was brief, but the symbolism was clear. Liverpool ended the night with Isak, Gakpo and Barcola all on the pitch – three huge investments, three major attacking options, and the outline of a front line built for the long haul.

Isak, though, owned the night. From doubt to dominance in nine ruthless minutes. If last season was the burden of the price tag, this one is starting to look like the pay-off.