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…
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