Alexander Isak scored twice in four first-half minutes as Liverpool secured their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Ipswich at Portman Road. The Sweden striker, last summer's record buy, stole the spotlight from this year's big-money signing Bradley Barcola, who started on the bench.
Isak silences doubters
Liverpool paid £125m for Isak last summer, but he managed only four goals in all competitions in an injury-plagued first season. After a draw at Newcastle on the opening weekend, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville branded Isak and Florian Wirtz "the biggest disappointments" — a reflection of their time at Anfield so far.
This performance, though, was more like the Isak Liverpool thought they were signing. He opened the scoring after six minutes, firing a fierce shot past Ipswich keeper Kjell Scherpen after a pass from Cody Gakpo. Liverpool's travelling fans sang "Isak again, ole, ole," and he soon had them singing again.
Gakpo's role
Gakpo nearly joined bitter rivals Manchester City in the final days of the transfer window, and Liverpool were willing to let him go but could not get their transfer targets in. The uncertainty clearly gave him something to prove to Andoni Iraola, and he was at the heart of everything.
For the second goal, Gakpo's through ball from the left released Isak, who tied Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves in knots before slotting past Scherpen. Liverpool were in cruise control, with Ipswich in disarray despite having spent £189m — more than Spanish giants Barcelona.
Barcola's debut cameo
Ipswich captain Dara O'Shea remonstrated angrily with his teammates as they were steamrollered in midfield and overwhelmed in defence. Julio Enciso gave them an edge, but it took them a long time to get going, and Liverpool could have been out of sight — Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed two long-range efforts, and Isak thought he had a hat-trick only to stray offside.
Eventually, Liverpool fans got their wish as Barcola came on for his first run-out since playing for France against England in the third-place play-off at the World Cup. He received a great reception and offered glimpses that left the fans very excited.
