Goodnightpublished at 22:51 BST 4 September
FT: Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
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Liverpool made light work of newly promoted Ipswich Town as Alexander Isak scored his first double for the club at Portman Road to secure their first Premier League win this season.
The Sweden striker produced his most devastating performance since joining from Newcastle United for a British record £125m transfer fee 12 months ago, securing victory for his side by firing past Kjell Scherpen twice inside the opening nine minutes.
The win in Suffolk was also the first of Andoni Iraola's tenure, ensuring he avoided becoming the club's first manager since Brendan Rodgers to fail to win any of his opening three Premier League games.
The result means Ipswich drop to 13th in the table, while the visitors climb to fifth before the other Premier League fixtures this weekend.
Liverpool took the lead inside six minutes when Isak arrowed a strike past Scherpen at his near post after an incisive pass from Cody Gakpo.
It was the first time they had taken the lead in a Premier League match this season, having fallen behind against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
It was more of the same three minutes later as Gakpo and Isak combined once again to double Liverpool's advantage.
It was the third time this season that the Dutchman, who came close to joining Manchester City during the transfer window, had assisted Isak in the Premier League.
The hosts could have halved the deficit on the half-hour mark had it not been for a timely last-ditch intervention from Ronald Araujo on his full debut to deny Daizen Maeda at the back post.
Isak was denied a hat-trick when the assistant referee raised his flag after he converted Florian Wirtz's low cross shortly before half-time.
In the second half, the home side did probe the Liverpool defence but, even after finishing the transfer window with one of the highest net spends in the Premier League and several new additions, were unable to provide a cutting edge.
Liverpool supporters had more reason to celebrate in the final 25 minutes as they were given a first glimpse of new signing Bradley Barcola, who joined from Paris St-Germain in a deal worth £123m on Monday.
'I thought we were excellent' - O'Neil on Ipswich defeat by Liverpool
Gary O'Neil was fully aware of the difficulty of the task at hand before kick-off as he reeled off Liverpool's array of attacking talent.
The Ipswich manager will be disappointed with how easily his side conceded the opening goal, with Scherpen beaten too easily at his near post.
But there were plenty of positives for O'Neil to take from his side's performance against top Premier League opposition for the second weekend running.
There were encouraging flashes from Ipswich's attackers, particularly Julio Enciso and Jack Clarke after he came off the bench in the second half.
But it was not enough for Ipswich to earn their first Premier League victory in 28 matches when trailing by two goals or more at half-time.
It goes without saying that their Premier League fate will not be decided by defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool in the space of five days.
O'Neil's side have plenty of fight and quality, and look well-equipped for the survival battle this time around.
First win as Liverpool boss 'feels good' - Iraola
It was a night that was supposed to belong to Liverpool's latest blockbuster signing Barcola, but Isak had other ideas.
The Swede has endured a difficult, injury-hit first 12 months at Anfield, but he used the familiar surroundings of Portman Road to fully launch his Liverpool career.
The last time he made the trip to Suffolk to face the Tractor Boys, he left with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in Newcastle United's thumping 4-0 victory in December 2024.
That came during a season in which the forward scored 27 goals, earned a place in the PFA team of the year and helped the Magpies win silverware.
That is something Iraola will hope the striker can replicate this term after finally appearing to find his feet in a Liverpool shirt.
If he is to do that, it seems Gakpo will be the perfect dance partner. The Dutchman showed no sign of a hangover from his failed move to Etihad Stadium as he continued his impressive start to the campaign with two assists for the former Newcastle United forward.
The prospect of a fully fit and firing Isak leading the line, flanked by Gakpo and fellow £100m-plus signings Florian Wirtz and Barcola, will no doubt excite Iraola after he secured his first win as Liverpool manager.
Liverpool, however, do have issues at the other end of the pitch and, although they kept their first clean sheet of the season, the Spaniard will not be satisfied with everything he saw.
But the sight of Isak wheeling away in celebration may just be enough to take his mind off those concerns, even if only for one night.

Alexander Isak has scored three goals in as many Premier League games for Liverpool this season
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
|
Manager: Gary O'Neil
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Gary O'Neil
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Liverpool |
2' | Liverpool |
3' | Liverpool |
4' | Liverpool |
5' | Liverpool |
6' | LiverpoolGoal |
7' | Liverpool |
8' | Liverpool |
9' | LiverpoolGoal |
10' | Liverpool |
11' | Liverpool |
12' | Ipswich Town |
13' | Ipswich Town |
14' | Ipswich Town |
15' | Ipswich Town |
16' | Ipswich Town |
17' | Ipswich Town |
18' | Liverpool |
19' | Ipswich Town |
20' | Ipswich Town |
21' | Liverpool |
22' | Liverpool |
23' | Liverpool |
24' | Liverpool |
25' | Liverpool |
26' | Ipswich Town |
27' | Ipswich Town |
28' | Liverpool |
29' | Liverpool |
30' | Ipswich Town |
31' | Ipswich Town |
32' | Ipswich Town |
33' | Liverpool |
34' | Liverpool |
35' | Liverpool |
36' | Liverpool |
37' | Liverpool |
38' | Ipswich Town |
39' | Liverpool |
40' | Liverpool |
41' | Liverpool |
42' | Ipswich Town |
43' | Ipswich Town |
44' | Ipswich Town |
45' | Ipswich Town |
45'+1 | Ipswich Town |
45'+2 | Ipswich Town |
Half time 45'+3 | Ipswich Town |
46' | Liverpool |
47' | Liverpool |
48' | Liverpool |
49' | Liverpool |
50' | Liverpool |
51' | Liverpool |
52' | Liverpool |
53' | Liverpool |
54' | Ipswich Town |
55' | Ipswich Town |
56' | Liverpool |
57' | Liverpool |
58' | Liverpool |
59' | Liverpool |
60' | Liverpool |
61' | Liverpool |
62' | Liverpool |
63' | Ipswich Town |
64' | Ipswich Town |
65' | Ipswich Town |
66' | Ipswich Town |
67' | Ipswich Town |
68' | Liverpool |
69' | Liverpool |
70' | Liverpool |
71' | Ipswich Town |
72' | Ipswich Town |
73' | Ipswich Town |
74' | Ipswich Town |
75' | Ipswich Town |
76' | Ipswich Town |
77' | Liverpool |
78' | Ipswich Town |
79' | Ipswich Town |
80' | Ipswich Town |
81' | Ipswich Town |
82' | Ipswich Town |
83' | Ipswich Town |
84' | Ipswich Town |
85' | Ipswich Town |
86' | Ipswich Town |
87' | Ipswich Town |
88' | Ipswich Town |
89' | Ipswich Town |
90' | Ipswich Town |
90'+1 | Ipswich Town |
90'+2 | Ipswich Town |
90'+3 | Ipswich Town |
90'+4 | Ipswich Town |
90'+5 | Ipswich Town |
Full time 90'+6 | Ipswich Town |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
Ipswich Town have lost their last four Premier League games against Liverpool across the 2001-02 and 2024-25 seasons, conceding 17 goals and scoring just once.
Liverpool are unbeaten in all six away Premier League matches against Ipswich Town at Portman Road (W4 D2). It’s the most games they’ve played at one stadium without losing in the competition.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 20 Premier League matches against newly promoted sides (W15 D5) but the last side to beat them were a Bournemouth side managed by current Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil in March 2023.
Ipswich are unbeaten in their last 18 home league games, 17 in the Championship last season and a 2-1 win against Sunderland this term. They’ve not won consecutive Premier League home games since a run of four in December 2001/January 2002.
Liverpool are winless in their last six Premier League games (D4 L2). Only once before have they gone 7+ matches without winning in the competition, a run of 11 from November 2002 to January 2003 under Gérard Houllier.
Ipswich Town have kept one clean sheet in their last 36 Premier League games and none in their last 21 since a 2-0 win over Chelsea in December 2024. Meanwhile, manager Gary O’Neil has two clean sheets in his last 35 Premier League games, both against sides who finished 20th that season – Sheffield United in February 2024 and Southampton in November 2024 with Wolves.
Liverpool have drawn 2-2 in their first two Premier League matches in 2026-27 – the Reds have only conceded 2+ goals in their first three games once before in the competition, doing so in 2012-13 in Brendan Rodgers’ first three games in charge.
Across their opening two Premier League games, Abdul Fatawu has created more chances (5), played more passes into the box (9) and won more duels (14) than any other Ipswich player, while only Julio Enciso (178) has applied more pressures than the Ghanaian (120).
Although he has only created two chances in two Premier League games this season, Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz has made 11 passes that have broken the defensive line, with only Bruno Fernandes making more (13).
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has four goals in just two Premier League appearances against Ipswich Town, all for Newcastle in 2024-25. Three of those were as a hat-trick at Portman Road, making him the joint-second top scorer there that season, behind only Liam Delap (6).