Isak Hands Iraola First Win At Liverpool

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Liverpool secured their first win of the Premier League season after defeating newly-promoted Ipswich Town 2-0 on Friday night.

Premier League
Teams: Ipswich Town v Liverpool
Result: 0-2
Scorers: Alexander Isak (6′, 9′)

Big-money signing Bradley Barcola was only named on the bench for the Reds as coach Andoni Iraola went with the same front-three that started against Nottingham Forest at Anfield last weekend.

The Reds needed just six minutes to get the breakthrough as Cody Gakpo, who was linked with Manchester City, cut in from the left flank and did well to pick out Alexander Isak, who took one touch before rifling the ball into the back of the net.

The lead was doubled two minutes later via the same combination as Gakpo caught the Ipswich defence sleeping and sent a superb ball forward for Isak, who showed the composure to fire past goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen who had rushed off his line.

In doing so, Isak’s brace is the fastest for a Liverpool player since 2011 when Maxi Rodriguez scored twice in the opening seven minutes against Fulham.

Ipswich, meanwhile, were able to recover from the poor opening ten minutes and looked to get forward at times, however they were unable to carve out any clear-cut openings to seriously trouble Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

It was more of the same in the second half, which prompted Iraola to freshen up the side as Barcola came on for his debut to replace Victor Munoz while Ryan Gravenberch came on Isak to shore up the midfield.

A lot of the talk leading up to the game was Liverpool’s failure to buy a full-back in the recent transfer window, although loan signing Ronald Araujo gave a very solid account of himself at right-back on the night as Jérémy Jacquet partnered Virgil van Dijk in the defence.

Ipswich were a lot better in the second period but they were let down by their decision-making in the final third and could only trouble Alisson with a couple efforts from distance, although the Brazilian was able to gather with ease as the Reds held on for the clean-sheet.

Next Three League Fixtures:

Ipswich Town: Crystal Palace (A), Everton (A), Fulham (H)

Liverpool: Fulham (H), Bournemouth (A), Manchester City (H)

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