Isak fires Liverpool to first win as Ipswich fall 0-2

Alexander Isak struck twice in the opening 10 minutes as Liverpool delivered a first win for new manager Andoni Iraola with a 2-0 victory at Ipswich on Friday.

Isak’s Premier League record £125 million ($169 million) move from Newcastle was matched this week by Manchester City’s signing of Enzo Fernandez, but 12 months on the Swede is finally beginning to deliver on his price tag.

Ipswich never recovered from a disastrous start as Liverpool cruised to victory at Portman Road with their latest £100 million signing Bradley Barcola making his debut as a second-half substitute, Super Sport reports.

Victory lifts the Reds to fifth in the table and maintains an unbeaten start for Iraola.

A pair of 2-2 draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest did not lack in entertainment for the Basque coach’s opening two games in charge, but did little to ease doubts over their ability to challenge at the top end of the table this season.

“We needed it. Definitely needed this one. Also the way it has been, I think, with a clean sheet,” said Iraola.

Barcola added to Liverpool’s expensively assembled forward line this week but at a cost of reinforcing other areas of the field.

A huge investment in Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike failed to pay off last year as Liverpool finished fifth in a disappointing season that cost Arne Slot his job just a year after winning the league.

But after a miserable first season at Anfield dogged by fitness problems, Isak is showing signs of why he was so sought after at Newcastle with three goals in three games in the new campaign, albeit aided by Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen.

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