Ipswich 0 Liverpool 2: Isak scores quickfire early double and Barcola makes debut in Iraola’s first win as Reds boss

CODY GAKPO could have been pulling on a Manchester City or Spurs shirt today after leaving Anfield. So by accident, Liverpool have avoided a mind-boggling transfer market cock-up which would have definitely returned to haunt them. Alexander Isak looked back to his best as his brace secured Liverpool’s first win of 2026/27 Credit: AP Cody Gakpo, who was nearly sold by the Reds, pulled the strings Credit: EPA The Dutchman continued his stunning start to the season by setting up Alexander Isak’s two goals in the opening nine minutes here at Portman Road with Andoni Iraola finally getting his first win as manager. Yes, they have once again spent over £200million on players this summer. And yes, they have shelled out for their third £100m-plus capture in Bradley Barcola who made his debut in the 64th minute. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Yet an important player for Iraola was actually under his nose even though, unbelievably, Gakpo was being shuffled towards the exit. In an era when top-quality forwards are at a premium – hence the crazy fees – it is simply mind-boggling Liverpool were open to selling Gakpo. And, it is a poor reflection of their transfer strategy. Liverpool have hardly been brilliant this season but Gakpo has been their best player. The Dutchman’s passing for Isak’s two goals illustrated his quality and he was the team’s most effective player in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on the opening day when he scored. Gakpo also impressed in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham where he delivered an assist for Isak. So in the first 190 minutes of the Premier League season, Gakpo set up three goals and also scored one. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK So, it seems Everton were not the only club on Merseyside to lose the plot before the window shut. Liverpool only kept Gakpo because they could not agree a fee for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and were not sure about Palace’s Ismaila Sarr. Yet Gakpo’s performance was not the only highlight in Suffolk with Isak showing that, maybe, he could have a decent season despite his problems with form and injury last term. The £125m signing from Newcastle has already scored three times in the Premier League, the same as last year. And while he was helped by some poor goalkeeping from Ipswich’s Kjell Scherpen and bad defending by Jacob Greaves. His finishes were still decent and for Iraola, after a slightly wobbly start to life in Liverpool, there was a sense of relief that his team were in complete control because anything other than a win would have been unacceptable. Iraola failed to win any of his first nine top-flight games at Bournemouth but as the Spaniard will already realise, the pressures at his latest club are incomparable. Ipswich were poor, though, and Liverpool will have much bigger tests ahead, starting with the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Bradley Barcola made his debut off Liverpool off the bench Credit: Reuters Andoni Iraola’s side dominated much of the game While Liverpool’s latest raft of recruits will look to bed in, and winger Victor Munoz looks decent and works hard, the versatile Gakpo will still have a huge role. For Ipswich, after losing 5-2 at Manchester United on Sunday, this was another harsh lesson after an encouraging opening-day win over Sunderland. New manager Gary O’Neil will be worried by the way winger Abdul Fatowa was beaten to a challenge by Milos Kerkez, new Argentine signing Exequiel Palacios was outmanoeuvred by Gakpo although his pass to Isak was outstanding. The Swede seized on some hesitation from Greaves and unleashed a thunderbolt from Isak which went through Scherpen. Centre-half Greaves struggled against United at Old Trafford and his torrid spell continued before after another delicious pass from Gakpo, he was turned inside out by Isak who rolled a shot past keeper Scherpen who was all over the place. Dominik Szoboszlai had so much room in midfield and he forced a couple of decent saves from Scherpen. Meanwhile, Gakpo also accidentally helped out at the back when keeper Alisson completely missed a corner but the ball hit his team-mate and ended up in his arms. Ipswich tried, with Julio Enciso having a shot blocked by Alexis Mac Allister and Leif Davis headed over. Isak scored a hat-trick on his last visit here for Newcastle in 2024 and he thought he had got a third but he was offside. Szoboszlai then thought he was going to be given a penalty by VAR after being fouled by Leif Davis but equally, it then emerged he was offside in the build-up. Meanwhile, up front, Ipswich were not a threat up front even though Liverpool’s defence went into this game low on confidence. When Alisson spilled a shot from Enciso, new signing Emersson had not thought about taking a gamble for a rebound. Equally, Ipswich should still be okay and after spending nearly £200m this summer, their new arrivals will also take time to settle. Two years ago, they did not have enough quality under Kieran McKenna but due to their huge spending, and Gary O’Neil is a decent manager, they will have enough to stay up. However, Ipswich will be happy they will not be facing Gakpo and Isak every week. Comment now