Alexander Isak Scores Twice in Liverpool's First Premier League Win

Liverpool’s new season finally found its bite in Suffolk.

After back-to-back 2-2 draws under Andoni Iraola, the visitors ripped into Ipswich from the first whistle on Friday night, Alexander Isak striking twice inside nine minutes to seal a 2-0 win and deliver the Spaniard his first Premier League victory in charge.

Ipswich never recovered from the early storm.

Liverpool were on the front foot straight away at Portman Road and struck in the sixth minute. Cody Gakpo slipped a pass into Isak on the right side of the area, the Sweden international driving a fierce effort that crashed off goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen and bounced into the net.

Three minutes later, the same combination carved Ipswich open again. This time Gakpo produced a touch of class, using the outside of his boot to curl a long, arcing ball in behind the home defence. Isak timed his run, gathered, shifted feet and drilled home. Two chances, two goals, and the contest already looked decided.

Ipswich, back in the top flight after promotion last season, tried to respond but rarely unsettled a Liverpool side that finally looked in sync after those chaotic draws with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

The night also marked the first glimpse of Liverpool’s record signing in competitive action. In the 63rd minute, Bradley Barcola came off the bench for his debut, pulling on the Liverpool shirt for the first time just four days after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth 123 million pounds ($166 million).

By then, Liverpool were in control, content to manage the game and protect their lead. Ipswich, with two defeats and one win from their opening three matches back in the Premier League, were left chasing shadows and reminders of the gulf they must bridge to survive at this level.