Isak’s early double secures Liverpool’s first win under Iraola

Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory of the season with a 2-0 win at Portman Road, a result that also marked the first win for new manager Andoni Iraola. The Dutch tactician, who replaced Arne Slot following the club’s decline in their title defence, guided the side to a comfortable result against newly promoted Ipswich Town.

The match was effectively decided within the first nine minutes, as Alexander Isak struck twice to put Liverpool ahead. Both goals were assisted by Cody Gakpo, whose performance highlighted the importance of his retention at the club after transfer moves to Manchester City, Brighton, and Crystal Palace ultimately collapsed.

Isak’s performance offered a stark contrast to his previous season, during which he scored four goals in 22 appearances while struggling with injuries and form. The Sweden international, who joined Liverpool last summer for a British transfer record fee of £125m from Newcastle United, has now equalled his previous Premier League goal tally for the club in just two games this season.

Bradley Barcola also made his debut for Liverpool, coming on for 26 minutes following his £123m transfer from Paris St-Germain. While his appearance was brief, it provided a glimpse of the attacking options available to Iraola as the team looks to rebuild its momentum.

Ipswich Town, who had conceded five goals to Manchester United in their previous outing, were outclassed by Liverpool’s early pressure. The result offers a positive foundation for Iraola, who acknowledged the need for sustained performance from his key players to avoid what he termed a "false dawn".

Virgil van Dijk, the Liverpool captain, emphasised the value of Gakpo’s continued presence in the squad, noting that the Dutch forward had demonstrated his importance both in this match and in recent weeks. For Liverpool, the win provides a crucial reset as they aim to stabilise their position in the league.