Isak scores brace, Liverpool beat Ipswich 2-0: Iraola's first win but underlying concerns remain

Alexander Isak delivered a brilliant performance with a brace in the first nine minutes, helping Liverpool secure a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town away from home. This was new manager Andoni Iraola's first win since taking charge, following consecutive draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. While the result appears to be a positive start, the underlying statistics tell a different story. From the opening whistle, Liverpool attacked with high intensity, a trademark tactic of Iraola from his Bournemouth days. In the 6th minute, Cody Gakpo provided a clever pass that split the Ipswich defense, allowing Isak to slot home. Just three minutes later, Gakpo again turned provider with a precise cross for Isak to tap in from close range. With these two goals, Isak has now scored three Premier League goals in three games, an impressive start for the £125 million club-record signing. However, after the explosive first 20 minutes, Liverpool gradually lost control. Ipswich began to dominate possession and created several dangerous chances. According to ESPN data, Liverpool's expected goals (xG) was only 0.66, lower than Ipswich's 0.73. This indicates that the hosts actually created better quality chances but lacked finishing precision. Efforts from Omari Hutchinson and George Hirst were denied by goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who had an outstanding day. The over-reliance on Cody Gakpo for creativity is also a concern. Both goals came from the Dutch forward, who had been criticized for inconsistent form under former manager Arne Slot. Iraola needs to diversify the attacking options, especially with new signing Bradley Barcola making his debut from the bench. Barcola, signed from PSG for up to £123 million, came on in the 77th minute and had little time to make an impact. However, his presence promises to ease the burden on Gakpo in the coming weeks. Tactically, Iraola implemented high pressing and quick transitions, but Liverpool's midfield still failed to control the central areas. The absence of a dedicated defensive midfielder makes the team vulnerable to counter-attacks. This was evident in the previous two draws, where Newcastle and Forest exploited space behind the full-backs. The Ipswich match was no exception: despite keeping a clean sheet, Liverpool had to withstand several dangerous attacks. Financially, Liverpool spent over £250 million in the summer 2026 transfer window, bringing total spending since early 2026 to nearly £700 million. Record deals for Isak (£125m), Barcola (£123m), and Florian Wirtz (£116.5m) create significant pressure under the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Allowing Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté to leave as free agents in 2026 has cost the club considerable asset value. However, investment from Jeff Bezos's consortium, which purchased around 40% of the club from FSG, provides fresh financial firepower. For Ipswich, this defeat is a setback after heavy investment. The newly promoted side spent around £200 million on 14 new signings, but lack of cohesion remains a major issue. They sit 13th in the table, an acceptable position but one that requires improvement to secure survival. Overall, this win relieves psychological pressure on Iraola and his squad, but internal issues persist. Liverpool must improve game management, diversify attacking patterns, and manage financial risks. Otherwise, such victories will be hard to replicate against stronger opponents. The upcoming Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid will be a true test of the team's ambitions.