Andoni Iraola finally broke his winless streak at Liverpool when Alexander Isak found the net twice within a nine‑minute spell, delivering a 2-0 triumph over Ipswich Town. The early matches of Iraola’s tenure had reminded many of his initial spell at Bournemouth in 2023, when it took ten games before his side tasted victory. This time, however, the Swedish striker, who had already recorded a hat‑trick at Portman Road on his previous Newcastle appearance, seized the moment and capitalised on a series of sub‑par saves from goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen.
The opening goal arrived in the sixth minute when Isak slipped the ball through Scherpen’s outstretched palms after a well‑timed pass. Just minutes later, a long ball was lofted forward, the keeper ventured out of his line, and Isak calmly slotted a low finish past the bewildered custodian. Both strikes were set up by Cody Gakpo, whose early influence under Iraola’s system continues to shine.
In the second half, former Paris Saint‑Germain forward Bradley Barcola, who arrived in England for a reported £123 million, made his Premier League debut off the bench. His introduction helped Liverpool maintain possession and press, contributing to a disciplined, well‑organised display that earned the team its first clean sheet of the Iraola era. The match was not without controversy. Ipswich argued that Jérémy Jacquet should have received a second yellow card for a challenge on Emersonn that the referee did not even deem a foul.
The decision sparked frustration among the visitors’ supporters, who felt the officiating was inconsistent. Despite the loss, Ipswich managed to keep the atmosphere lively at a packed Portman Road. Gary O'Neil’s side had bounced back from a disastrous start to the season and put in a competitive effort, earning applause from the home crowd as they left the field. Key moments of the game included: - 6′ Goal: Isak received a precise pass from Gakpo and fired a powerful shot past Scherpen’s outstretched hands.
- 9′ Goal: With Ipswich still reeling, Isak exploited space on the left, cutting inside and finishing neatly past a still‑struggling Scherpen. - 30′ Chance: Leif Davis headed wide from a right‑wing cross, exposing a brief defensive lapse for Liverpool.
- 33′ Goal Disallowed: Isak appeared to complete a first‑half hat‑trick after a fine delivery from Florian Wirtz, but the referee ruled him offside. - 53′ No Second Yellow: Already booked for a foul on Emersonn, Jacquet challenged from behind but the referee waved away any infringement, angering the Ipswich fans.
- 66′ Barcola Debut: The £123 million signing entered the fray, marking his Premier League inauguration. - 70′ No Penalty: VAR reviewed a potential handball by Davis on Dominik Szoboszlai, but the decision was overturned after the assistant indicated that Szoboszlai had been offside in the build‑up. After the match, Liverpool striker Alexander Isak spoke to Sky Sports about the win: "We were desperate for that first victory and we managed to start the game well, which we haven’t done in a while.
Scoring two goals shows we are finding our rhythm. The season has been tough, with injuries and a difficult previous campaign, but I feel we are finally hitting the right notes." Iraola, in his post‑match interview, praised his side’s defensive solidity: "It feels great, we needed this. Keeping a clean sheet and controlling the tempo shows we are improving.
The first half was strong; the second half wasn’t as sharp, but we still didn’t allow any clear chances." He also commented on Isak’s role: "He is a massive asset for us. My expectations aren’t just about goals; his fitness, positioning and overall contribution matter.
He has now played two full games and delivered the goals we needed. Our pressing was much better today; we won the ball higher up the pitch, which gave us more opportunities to feed our No 9." Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil expressed his frustration with Liverpool’s time‑wasting tactics: "They have been accused of slowing the game a lot.
My keeper was rushed at Old Trafford when we weren’t even set, and they used similar tactics here, which irritated me. The officials did a decent job, though, and VAR got the penalty decision right." Sky Sports analyst Lewis Jones offered a broader perspective on Ipswich’s goalkeeping woes: "There seems to be a curse on the Tractor Boys’ number one position. After Arijanet Muric’s costly errors in their promotion season, they switched to Kjell Scherpen from Union Saint‑Gilloise, hoping for stability. Instead, Scherpen’s first‑half performance against Liverpool suggests the problem persists.
Goalkeeping mistakes at this level are magnified; one lapse can erase an entire game plan. Ipswich must get Scherpen settled quickly, otherwise they will continue fighting two battles – one against the opposition and another against their own keeper." Overall, the victory not only gave Iraola his inaugural win but also signalled a potential turning point for Liverpool’s early season trajectory.
The team displayed improved attacking fluidity, defensive discipline, and a renewed confidence that could serve as a foundation for the weeks ahead. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1 million! Enter for free.