Alexander Isak Scores Early Double at Ipswich to Secure Andoni Iraola's First Liverpool Win

Early double at Portman Road

Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory of the season on Friday evening with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Striker Alexander Isak scored both goals inside the opening nine minutes of the contest, converting two separate deliveries from winger Cody Gakpo. In the sixth minute, Isak collected a pass on the right side of the penalty area and drove a shot past Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. Three minutes later, Gakpo curled an outside-of-the-boot pass behind the host defense, allowing Isak to shift feet and finish at the near post.

Liverpool maintained control throughout the first half, creating further opportunities against an Ipswich side that struggled against the visitors' high pressing. Dominik Szoboszlai forced two saves from Scherpen before the interval, while Isak was denied a hat-trick in the 33rd minute when a finish from Florian Wirtz's cross was ruled out for offside. The early brace brought Isak's league tally to three goals in three matches this season, matching his total of three goals in 14 Premier League appearances during the 2025–2026 campaign.

Defensive stability and standings

The result earned manager Andoni Iraola his first competitive win since replacing Arne Slot, following consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. The victory delivered Liverpool's first clean sheet of the league campaign, with Ronald Araujo starting at right-back and Alisson Becker keeping goal. Ipswich attempted to build momentum in the second half through midfielder Julio Enciso operating between the lines against center-back Jeremy Jacquet, but the home side failed to convert their possession into clear scoring chances.

After the match, Iraola evaluated the team's display during his post-game press conference.

We started very well. The second half was a different kind, probably not as good as the first, but we did not concede real chances.

The win lifted Liverpool to fifth place in the Premier League table with five points from three matches, leaving them two points off the summit ahead of the weekend fixtures. Ipswich Town, who earned promotion at the end of last season and had conceded five goals at Manchester United the previous week, remained in 13th place with three points from their first three games. Unused substitute Florentino Luis remained on the bench for Ipswich throughout the encounter.

Barcola debut and attacking depth

The match also featured the debut of French forward Bradley Barcola, who entered the pitch in the 63rd minute as a replacement for Spanish winger Victor Munoz. Barcola joined Liverpool on Monday from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee reported at 123 million pounds (145 million euros including add-ons), following a summer transfer window that also saw Manchester City launch an unsuccessful bid for Gakpo. With forward Hugo Ekitike sidelined by injury, Gakpo's starting role on the left wing proved decisive through his two early assists.

Liverpool's squad now turns its attention to European competition, preparing to host Spanish side Atletico Madrid at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League group stage.