Two goals inside the opening nine minutes from Alexander Isak earned Liverpool a 2-0 Premier League win at promoted Ipswich Town and a first victory under new manager Andoni Iraola following a stuttering start to the campaign.
Liverpool were in front inside six minutes as Cody 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. 2-0!!
Dominik Szoboszlai twice tested the reflexes of Scherpen from outside the box, while at the other end Ipswich were creating chances and Leif Davis headed over at the back post when he should have hit the target.
Liverpool introduced new 107-million-pound ($144.67-million)signing Bradley Barcola for Victor Munoz after 64 minutes but it was a tame end to the game as neither side were able to find another goal.
“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.”
Liverpool climb to fifth in the table with five points from their three matches, while Ipswich are in 13th place with three points from the same number of games.
