Isak double leads Liverpool to win at Ipswich

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Cody Gakpo, who was the subject of a transfer bid by Manchester City this week, was the creator of both goals as Liverpool was quick out of the blocks and able to see out the remainder of the match comfortably.

The Merseysider side climbed to fifth on the table with five points from its three matches, while Ipswich is in 13th place with three points from the same number of games.

There was a debut off the bench for new Liverpool signing Bradley Barcola as the visitors kept a first clean sheet of the campaign after a pair of 2-2 draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

"It was a good performance," Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said. "We were more direct in the beginning, which is what we wanted. Two great balls from Cody, who was outstanding. A good win and on to the next.

"I said before the transfer window closed that he [Gakpo] is important for us and will be this season. He showed it today again."

It was a workmanlike display in a game where Liverpool never looked ruffled but also showed little in the way of attacking threat in the second half, managing just a single shot on target.

Ipswich will rue its slow start and feel that it contained the visitors well after that, but in truth did not do enough to earn a point.

Liverpool was in front inside six minutes as Gakpo picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and his superb pass picked out Isak, whose shot was too powerful for Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen at his near post.

It was 2-0 three minutes later and again Gakpo was the architect. His pass found Isak who twisted and turned, and slipped the ball past an exposed Scherpen, who was in no-man’s land having come out of his goal.

Dominik Szoboszlai twice tested the reflexes of Scherpen from outside the box, while at the other end Ipswich was creating chances and Leif Davis headed over at the back post when he should have hit the target.

Liverpool introduced Barcola for Victor Munoz after 64 minutes but it was a tame end to the game as neither side was able to find another goal.

Iraola appeared to question Isak's off-ball work, but he praised the way Liverpool pressed high to feed him in advanced areas.

"He's a massive player for us," Iraola said of Isak. "My demands will not be about goals: he's fit, in good shape and he will produce the numbers.

"But my fights with him are more about other stuff, how to help the team in other situations. But it's good he has played two full games, and today he had a good amount of minutes, scoring the goals.

"Today we were much, much better in our press. We were recovering the ball very high and then we can connect him in good positions.

"If we recover the ball lower, it will be more difficult to find him in space. So, we need more quality effort to put our number nine in situations like he had today."

Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil outlined his pride despite the defeat his side suffered.

"Proud of the group. I thought we were excellent," he said.

"Two mistakes in the first 10 minutes made it difficult, but we were the best side for large parts after that. 

"We had more shots, some real good chances. And it was a test.

"I spoke about the setbacks at Man United, and wanting to respond to them better. I thought we did that very, very well.

"Of course, we won't take any points tonight, which is always difficult against Liverpool, and it's what we're here for.

"But there were a lot of very good signs. To go toe-to-toe with them, I'm very pleased.

"The mistakes were big, and they were punished heavily by world-class players in the first 10 minutes, but it was an excellent response.

"We gave our best, the fans appreciated the performance. But we are here for points, so next week we have to make sure we take some."