Liverpool 2-0 Ipswich: Alexander Isak Delivers Statement Performance

Liverpool 2-0 Ipswich: Alexander Isak Delivers Statement Performance Alexander Isak Double Gives Liverpool Lift Off Under Andoni Iraola Liverpool finally have lift off under Andoni Iraola. Alexander Isak struck twice inside the opening nine minutes as the Reds beat Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road to claim their first Premier League victory of the season. After consecutive 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool needed a result. More than that, they needed a performance which offered some reassurance that Iraola’s ideas were beginning to take shape. They got both. Isak was clinical, Cody Gakpo was outstanding and Ronald Araujo offered Iraola a possible solution at right-back as Liverpool produced their most controlled display of the campaign so far. There will be bigger challenges ahead, beginning with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but this felt like an important step forward. Alexander Isak Delivers When Liverpool Need Him Isak’s first season at Liverpool was dominated by frustration. His £125million move from Newcastle United came with enormous expectations, but injuries disrupted any chance of building momentum and he managed only three Premier League goals across the campaign. This was much more like the Isak Liverpool thought they were buying. The striker had scored twice before ten minutes were on the clock and suddenly looked full of confidence. His opener came after Liverpool turned possession over and attacked quickly. Gakpo slipped the ball into Isak’s path, the striker timed his run well and smashed a powerful finish past Kjell Scherpen at the near post. The second was even better. Isak adjusted his run as Liverpool worked the ball forward before Gakpo produced an excellent outside-of-the-foot pass. The Swede stayed calm as the defence closed around him and rolled a left-footed finish beyond the goalkeeper. It was ruthless. Isak also had another effort ruled out for offside later in the first half and repeatedly caused Ipswich problems with his movement. There were promising combinations involving Gakpo and Florian Wirtz too. Liverpool created triangles down the left, moved the ball quickly and gave Ipswich defenders difficult decisions to make. Isak looked sharper pressing from the front and more comfortable drifting into different areas. This was a reminder of why Liverpool paid such an extraordinary fee for him. If he stays fit, Iraola suddenly has one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards leading his attack. Cody Gakpo Gives Iraola Selection Headache Gakpo’s Liverpool future looked far less certain earlier this week. Bradley Barcola’s £123million arrival appeared to increase the possibility of Gakpo being moved on, particularly with Manchester City showing interest. Liverpool resisted. On this evidence, that was a sensible decision. Gakpo had two assists inside nine minutes and was at the heart of virtually everything good Liverpool produced during their dominant opening spell. His pass for Isak’s first goal was perfectly weighted. His second assist was outstanding, curling the ball into the striker’s path with the outside of his foot. Gakpo also brought an aggression to his performance which has not always been associated with him. He tracked runners, helped defensively and used his strength to protect possession. On one occasion, several Ipswich players crowded around him and still failed to take the ball away. Jamie Carragher summed up the competition developing on Liverpool’s left side when he wrote that Barcola was “going to struggle to get a game with this version of Gakpo”. He has a point. Barcola has been signed for a huge fee and will expect to play regularly, but Gakpo has four goal involvements already this season. Liverpool suddenly have real competition in that area. For Iraola, that is the sort of selection problem he will happily accept. Ronald Araujo Stakes Claim at Right-Back Liverpool’s defensive issues have already become one of the major themes of their season. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez both endured difficult moments during the draws against Newcastle and Forest. Opponents attacked the spaces behind them and Liverpool looked vulnerable whenever possession was lost. Iraola made a significant change at Portman Road. Frimpong dropped out and Ronald Araujo started at right-back. The Barcelona loanee did not produce a flashy performance, but he gave Liverpool something they desperately needed, defensive authority. Araujo was strong in duels, dominant in the air and helped keep Daizen Maeda quiet. There were mistakes. One poor clearance went behind for a corner and crosses towards Liverpool’s back post caused him occasional problems. Yet the overall picture was positive. Araujo’s presence also changed Liverpool’s shape in possession. He could tuck inside to form a back three, allowing Kerkez to push higher from the opposite flank. That gave Gakpo more licence to move inside and combine with Wirtz and Isak. It worked. Liverpool looked better balanced and less vulnerable to counter-attacks. Araujo should be firmly in Iraola’s thoughts for Wednesday night’s Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid at Anfield. Photo: IMAGO Liverpool Give Iraola Something to Build On Nobody should get carried away by one victory at Ipswich. Liverpool still have defensive questions to answer and tougher opponents will test this system far more severely. Yet progress matters. The opening two matches left Liverpool with two points from six and plenty of uncomfortable questions. They conceded four goals and repeatedly lost control of games they had opportunities to win. This performance was different. Liverpool scored early, controlled the match and kept a clean sheet. Iraola also showed he was prepared to make changes. Araujo strengthened the right side, Gakpo flourished with greater freedom and Isak finally looked like the devastating centre-forward Liverpool expected. There was an encouraging understanding between Isak, Gakpo and Wirtz, particularly during a first half when Liverpool’s movement regularly pulled Ipswich apart. The Premier League season is still in its infancy and Iraola has plenty of work ahead. Liverpool remain a squad adapting to a new coach, new tactical demands and several new players. This result provides something tangible. Three points, a clean sheet and a striker who suddenly looks ready to explode. For Liverpool, that will do nicely.