Andoni Iraola Secures First Liverpool Win as Alexander Isak Brace Downs Ipswich

Andoni Iraola celebrated his maiden victory as Liverpool head coach after Alexander Isak struck twice within the opening nine minutes to secure a 2-0 win over Ipswich.

Isak, who had netted a hat‑rick on his previous trip to Portman Road with Newcastle, capitalised on hesitant goalkeeping from Kjell Scherpen.

His opener slipped through Scherpen’s hands in the sixth minute, and the goalkeeper later drifted off his line on a long ball, allowing Isak to slot a low finish.

Both goals were set up by Cody Gakpo, whose impressive start under Iraola persists.

After his £123 million transfer from PSG, Bradley Barcola debuted off the bench in the second half, as Liverpool tightened their attack to deliver a disciplined, professional performance and claim the first clean sheet of Iraola’s tenure.

Ipswich also protested a refereeing decision, arguing that Jérémy Jacquet deserved a second yellow for a challenge on Emersonn that was not even penalised.

The key moments from Portman Road

6′ – GOAL! Isak latches onto a quality pass from Gakpo and fires a shot beyond Scherpen’s feeble grasp.

9′ – GOAL! With Ipswich still reeling, Isak slips in behind on the left and slides a composed finish past Scherpen, whose positioning remained off.

30′ – CHANCE! Leif Davis meets a cross from the right but his header sails wide, exposing Liverpool at the back.

33′ – ISAK GOAL DISALLOWED! Isak believed he had completed a first‑half hat‑tick after a fine cross from Florian Wirtz, but he was adjudged offside.

53′ – NO SECOND YELLOW? Having already been booked for a foul on Emersonn, Jacquet lunges from behind, makes little contact with the ball, and escapes a second caution, much to the Ipswich supporters’ frustration.

66′ – BARCOLA ARRIVES! The £123 million signing, Barcola, makes his Premier League bow.

70′ – NO PENALTY FOR LIVERPOOL! VAR initially flags a possible foul by Davis on Dominik Szoboszlai, but after review Stockley Park advises that Szoboszlai was offside in the build‑up, so no penalty is awarded.

What the result means and next fixtures…

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