Sports

Isak Double Gives Liverpool the Three Points They Desperately Needed

Nairavoice · Sep 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Last Word On Liverpool’s 2-0 Win at Ipswich

After Liverpool’s return to Premier League action ended with a 2–0 victory over Ipswich, the Reds finally have their first win of the campaign.

The scoreline was decided inside the opening nine minutes, with Alexander Isak striking twice from two excellent Cody Gakpo assists. Liverpool were unable to add a third despite creating opportunities, while Ipswich ensured the visitors had to work hard for the clean sheet.

Isak Double Gives Liverpool the Three
Advertisement

The Starting Eleven

Liverpool XI

GK – Alisson Becker

RB – Ronald Araújo

CB – Jérémy Jacquet

CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Milos Kerkez

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

RW – Víctor Muñoz

AM – Florian Wirtz

LW – Cody Gakpo

CF – Alexander Isak

Substitutes Used

Bradley Barcola → Alexander Isak (63′)

Ryan Gravenberch → Víctor Muñoz (63′)

Trey Nyoni → Alexis Mac Allister (83′)

Lewis Koumas → Florian Wirtz (89′)

Goals

Ipswich 0–1 Liverpool – Alexander Isak (Cody Gakpo) – 6′

Ipswich 0–2 Liverpool – Alexander Isak (Cody Gakpo) – 9′

Match Statistics

Possession – Ipswich 45% | Liverpool 55%

xG – Ipswich 0.73 | Liverpool 0.66

Total Shots – Ipswich 14 | Liverpool 10

Shots on Target – Ipswich 5 | Liverpool 7

Fouls – Ipswich 6 | Liverpool 13

Corners – Ipswich 4 | Liverpool 3

First Half

The opening half was a strange experience as the game state was fairly even, yet Liverpool simply looked more clinical and the variety of European stars allowed them an early two-nil lead.

Cody Gakpo was subject to transfer links earlier in the week, as he seemed destined to land at either Tottenham or Manchester City. The Reds were unable to source a suitable replacement and the Dutchman remained on Merseyside.

Alexander Isak was this evening the immediate beneficiary of that Liverpool stance as he was assisted twice in quick succession.

The first was a typical Gakpo move as the former PSV attacker drove in wide and, instead of attempting a shot, found the perfect through ball to his Swedish teammate, before the world-class striker hammered the ball through the keeper at the near post.

The second goal was a delightful pass-and-finish tandem. The 27-year-old left winger, Gakpo, was able to angle a vertical through ball into Isak’s path, before the former Newcastle man made a handful of wonderful touches before slotting it under the keeper.

Two goals inside nine minutes completely changed the complexion of the game.

Ipswich were direct and Alisson Becker was needed to make aerial interceptions, as Dominik Szoboszlai tried to break the hands of Ali’s opposite number with a series of blistering drives from distance.

Milos Kerkez was far more concentrated and the away team’s desire to score and work hard was only hampered by a clear lack of defensive awareness through the midfield areas.

Alexis Mac Allister was good but at times overrun and this team needs that specialist destroyer.

The statistics perhaps tell an interesting story. Liverpool had 55 per cent possession but Ipswich still managed 14 attempts compared with Liverpool’s 10. The hosts also generated the higher xG, 0.73 to Liverpool’s 0.66.

Yet Liverpool had seven shots on target compared with Ipswich’s five, and that clinical edge ultimately proved decisive.

Photo: IMAGO

Second Half

The second half became much more about game management.

With a two-goal advantage already secured, Liverpool did not need to chase the game in the same way they had during the opening stages. Instead, Iraola’s side had to show they could defend a lead and cope with Ipswich’s attempts to make the match uncomfortable.

There were still moments where Liverpool looked vulnerable, particularly when the midfield was bypassed and Ipswich were able to attack the defensive line directly.

That remains the major concern.

Liverpool have improved their intensity, but intensity without defensive structure can become a problem. There is still a requirement for a specialist defensive midfielder who can sit in front of the centre-backs, break up attacks and give the more creative players freedom to operate.

Iraola began making changes after the hour mark, replacing Isak with Bradley Barcola and Víctor Muñoz with Ryan Gravenberch in the 63rd minute.

Those changes helped Liverpool maintain energy without unnecessarily exposing Isak to further physical demands after his decisive contribution had already been made.

Trey Nyoni replaced Mac Allister in the 83rd minute, while Lewis Koumas came on for Wirtz in the 89th.

Liverpool ultimately saw the game through without conceding.

Isak Double Gives Liverpool the Three

Final Thoughts

This was not a perfect Liverpool performance, but perfection was not required.

After two draws from their opening two Premier League fixtures, the most important thing was to finally put three points on the board. Liverpool did exactly that.

The biggest positive was undoubtedly Isak. Two goals inside nine minutes demonstrated the quality Liverpool possess at the top end of the pitch, while Gakpo’s two assists also showed why losing him this summer would have created another major problem.

However, the underlying numbers provide a warning.

Liverpool had fewer shots, a lower xG and only a marginal possession advantage. Ipswich created enough opportunities to make the evening considerably more uncomfortable, and better opposition may punish those defensive weaknesses.

Iraola will know there is plenty to improve.

But the manager now has his first Premier League victory, Isak has his first Liverpool goal, and the Reds can finally move forward with three points rather than two draws dominating the conversation.

It is a win, a clean sheet and a foundation to build from.