Analysis: Lift-off for Isak

It was a night that was supposed to belong to Liverpool’s latest blockbuster signing, Bradley Barcola, but Alexander Isak had other ideas.

The Swede has endured a difficult, injury-hit first 12 months at Anfield, but he used the familiar surroundings of Portman Road to fully launch his Liverpool career.

The last time he made the trip to Suffolk to face the Tractor Boys, he left with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in Newcastle United’s thumping 4-0 victory.

That came during a season in which the forward scored 27 goals, earned a place in the PFA team of the year and helped the Magpies win silverware.

That is something Andoni Iraola will hope the striker can replicate this term after finally appearing to find his feet in a Liverpool shirt.

If he is to do that, it seems Cody Gakpo will be the perfect dance partner. The Dutchman showed no sign of a hangover from his failed move to Etihad Stadium as he continued his impressive start to the campaign with two assists for the former Newcastle United forward.

The prospect of a fully fit and firing Isak leading the line, flanked by Gakpo and fellow £100m-plus signings Florian Wirtz and Barcola, will no doubt excite Iraola after he secured his first win as Liverpool manager.

Liverpool, however, do have issues at the other end of the pitch and, although they kept their first clean sheet of the season, the Spaniard will not be satisfied with everything he saw.

But the sight of Isak wheeling away in celebration may just be enough to take his mind off those concerns, even if only for one night.