Alexander Isak's quickfire double guided Liverpool to their first Premier League win of the season, as they beat Ipswich Town 2-0 on Friday.

The Andoni Iraola era finally got lift-off at Portman Road, with Cody Gakpo assisting Isak twice in the opening nine minutes, though Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen was arguably responsible – at least in part – for both goals. 

Despite Ipswich improving after their dismal start, the Reds never really looked at risk of being pegged back as they climbed to fifth in the table on five points, and another positive moment saw £123m forward Bradley Barcola come off the bench for his debut.

Liverpool's first real attack resulted in their sixth-minute opener as Gakpo – who was strongly linked with an £85m move to Manchester City before staying put beyond the transfer deadline – picked out Isak with a defence-splitting pass. 

The Swede took a touch before firing at goal from the right side of the area, and despite getting a touch to the shot, Scherpen could not keep it out.

Gakpo and Isak then combined again for the Reds' second, with the Dutchman finding his team-mate with a wonderful, outside-of-the-boot pass down the left channel. Isak showed good feet to unbalance Jacob Greaves, then slotted past the out-of-position Scherpen.

Isak thought he had secured the match ball when he got on the end of Florian Wirtz's left-wing centre, only for the offside flag to go up, while Dominik Szoboszlai worked Scherpen on three occasions and Gakpo saw a penalty appeal rejected before half-time. 

Ipswich also had several bright moments throughout the first period, but their final ball was lacking and Emersonn was unable to apply the finishing touch from their best chance. 

6 - Liverpool's six shots on target in the first half were their most in the first 45 minutes of a Premier League game since April 2025 vs Leicester at the King Power (also six).

Improvement. pic.twitter.com/Mq2xMFXHlW

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 4, 2026

The Reds thought they were about to be awarded a spot-kick midway through the second half, when referee Darren England went to the VAR monitor to check Leif Davis' kick on Szoboszlai, but that review resulted in the Liverpool midfielder being ruled offside.

Ipswich's brightest moments in the second half both came from Julio Enciso, who had one curler parried and gathered at the second attempt by Alisson and whipped another past the right post, while Jack Clarke's deflected strike almost caught the Reds' goalkeeper out. 

But that was as close as the Tractor Boys came to forcing a grandstand finish, and Gary O'Neil's men must now regroup ahead of facing Crystal Palace next time out. Liverpool, meanwhile, can turn their attention towards the Champions League on Wednesday, as they host Atletico Madrid.

2 - Liverpool have now won as many Premier League away games by 2+ goals this season (1) as they did in the whole of last season (2-0 v West Ham in November 2025).

Lift-off. pic.twitter.com/rp39p6C8z5

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 4, 2026

Isak wastes no time at favourite away venue

Isak's first campaign at Anfield was a frustrating one as injuries and poor form restricted him to just three Premier League goals, but he has already equalled that figure in 2026-27 after a lightning start to Friday's game.

With Isak's second goal coming after eight minutes and 42 seconds, it was the earliest a Liverpool player had netted twice in a Premier League game since Maxi Rodriguez in May 2011 against Fulham (seventh minute).

Isak now has five Premier League goals at Portman Road, having netted a hat-trick on the ground for Newcastle United in December 2024. Since the start of 2024-25, only ex-Ipswich striker Liam Delap (six) has more Premier League goals at the venue, despite Isak only playing there twice (18 games there for Delap). 

Gakpo, meanwhile, became just the third Liverpool player to assist multiple goals in the opening 10 minutes of a Premier League game, after Roberto Firmino (in August 2022 versus Bournemouth) and Steven Gerrard (in February 2014 against Arsenal).

It was far from a vintage display from Liverpool, who actually had fewer shots (10 to 14) and accumulated a lower expected goals (xG) figure than Ipswich (0.66 to 0.73), though the Reds did hit the target seven times. The Tractor Boys only did so five times, and 10 of their shots came from outside the area as the Reds defended stoutly.