Liverpool beat Ipswich as Isak goals hand Iraola first Premier League win

Alexander Isak scored twice for Liverpool in their 2-0 Premier League win at Ipswich Town, handing Reds manager Andoni Iraola his first win since taking over in the summer.

Sweden international Isak pounced in the sixth and ninth minutes of Friday’s match at Portman Road to ease Liverpool nerves that a third successive winless match may be in the offing.

With his side in cruise control in the second period, Iraola was able to look to the bench to hand a 64th minute debut to Bradley Barcola, who became the club’s record signing with his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain.

“We needed this win,” Iraola told Sky Sports. “It was also nice to get a clean sheet and control the match.

“The second half was not as good as the first, but we didn’t concede any chances.”

Isak’s first came courtesy of a drilled finish from within the area, having been picked out by Cody Gakpo, that even the glove of Kjell Scherpen in the Ipswich goal could not stop.

The Reds, who drew their first two games of the season, sliced through the home side’s defence with an outside of the foot through ball from Gakpo that set Isak on his way to dribble past Jacob Greaves before slotting home.

“We were talking about starting the game well. It was perfect for us to get those two quick goals,” Isak told Sky Sports.