Isak Double Secures Iraola's First Win at Liverpool

Liverpool needed only nine minutes in Ipswich to turn a nervy start to the season into a statement. Two ruthless finishes from Alexander Isak, both laid on by Cody Gakpo, sealed a 2–0 Premier League victory and handed new manager Andoni Iraola his first win in charge.

Ipswich never recovered from the opening storm.

Isak at the double, Gakpo pulls the strings

The visitors came out at full throttle and were in front almost before the home crowd had settled. Isak struck first, finishing off a move engineered by Gakpo, and the same combination cut Ipswich open again moments later. Two attacks, two goals, same partnership. The contest felt close to decided inside the first ten minutes.

Gakpo, the subject of a transfer offer from Manchester City earlier in the week, played like a man unfazed by the noise around him. His vision and timing carved Ipswich apart twice, and Liverpool simply managed the game from there.

Ipswich tried to respond, but Liverpool’s early cushion allowed them to control the tempo and shut down space. The hosts pushed, rarely panicked the visitors, and the scoreline never budged.

Clean sheet and lift in the table

For Iraola, there were more positives than just the three points. After back-to-back 2–2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool finally recorded their first clean sheet of the campaign. The defensive line, previously shaky, held firm once in front.

The win moves Liverpool up to fifth in the Premier League, with five points from their opening three matches. It is a platform, at last, for Iraola to build on.

Ipswich, who have three points from the same number of games, sit 13th. There was at least one bright note for the home crowd: Bradley Barcola made his debut for the visitors, coming off the bench to get his first minutes.

Liverpool, though, left with what they came for: a first victory under their new manager, a shutout, and the sense that their season might finally be gathering pace.