Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool - Premier League Match Report & Player Ratings

Alexander the Great is Back

Last night's Friday Night Football saw the return to form of Alexander Isak. The Swede struck twice for Liverpool in the opening 10 minutes, as Iraola's men picked up their first three points of the season with a 2-0 win against Ipswich Town.

FULL-TIME: Alexander Isak's two quickfire goals inside the first nine minutes of the game get Liverpool the win over Ipswich 🔴 pic.twitter.com/KhnQb02Nof

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2026

Isak capitalised on an excellent Liverpool start, scoring twice in quick succession. The former Newcastle man has now scored five goals at Portman Road in just two visits!

5 - This century, only three players have scored more Premier League goals at Portman Road than Alexander Isak (5 in 2 games), who has never played for Ipswich Town.

Unusual. pic.twitter.com/zo1xvtoiS3

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 4, 2026

From there on out it was an uphill fight for the Tractor Boys who's bad fortune on the night was compounded by a flawless defensive display from Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk.

New signing Bradley Barcola came on to make his debut, but it was Cody Gakpo, linked with a move away during the last few days of the window, who put all rumours surrounding his Liverpool future to bed. He provided two incisive assists for Isak in what is shaping up to be somewhat of a partnership.

4 - Cody Gakpo has been directly involved in four goals in the Premier League this season (1 goal, 3 assists).

This century, only Mo Salah in 2024-25 has had more goal involvements through Liverpool’s opening three games of a league campaign (6).

Retained. pic.twitter.com/hGN0NpF5A3

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 4, 2026

First Half

From the get-go, Liverpool looked to press Ipswich high and force turnovers through stray passes into the midfield.

They made the breakthrough on six minutes through just that. A loose ball from Lukic was intercepted by Kerkez. Gakpo pounced on the ball, chopped back on Palacios before firing in a quality pass to Isak.

The Swede took an excellent first touch before hammering a right-footed shot to the near post which the weak wrists of Scherpen couldn't keep out.

Liverpool doubled their lead just two minutes later. A delicious trivela pass from Gakpo found the curved run of Isak down the inside-left channel.

Isak slowed himself down before sliding a tidy finish past the Ipswich goalkeeper.

Inside NINE minutes Alexander Isak has two goals! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/3UGq0bwqRm

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2026

It was the earliest a single Liverpool player had netted two since Maxi Rodríguez in May 2011 vs Fulham.

Ipswich's best chance came on the half-hour mark as a Fatawu cross from the right landed on the head of Davis at the back post, but the left-back couldn't quite keep his header down.

The striker was denied a first Liverpool hat-trick in the 33rd minute. Some nice movement from Wirtz found himself free in between two Ispwich defenders. He took the pass in his stride before delivering across goal for Isak who fired home.

Unfortunately for both, Isak was narrowly ahead of his man and was ruled offside.

Second Half

The Reds should've increased their lead just a couple of minutes into the second half. A Szoboszlai inswinging corner found Mac Allister at the near post, but the Argentine effort bobbled into the hands of Scherpen.

Jacquet saw yellow after a tussle with forward Emersonn on the halfway line.

Ipswich produced a good chance in the 60th minute as Palacios won possession back before finding Enciso. The Paraguayan drove at the Liverpool defence before curling a tame effort into Alisson's hands from a promising position.

Barcola appeared for his Liverpool debut soon after and was unveiled to a chorus of song from the travelling away fans - "Bradley Barcola runs down the wing for me".

Bradley Barcola comes on to make his Liverpool debut! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/PjO78nlcqj

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 4, 2026

Liverpool were denied a penalty in the 70th minute as Szoboszlai ran in behind, chasing a ball from Araújo. At first, Davis was deemed to have won the ball, although a VAR replay clearly showed he had kicked through the Hungarians boot.

Ipswich caught life after it was found Szoboszlai was in fact offside in the build-up to the penalty and hence was overturned by referee Darren England.

Liverpool cruised for the remainder of the game, with Ipswich offering little threat despite amassing double-digit shots on Liverpool's goal.

Man of the Match - Alexander Isak

Absolutely sensational. This felt like the day Isak arrived in a Liverpool shirt.

The difference maker, he put the team on his back when they needed him most and won the points for Liverpool.

Bad Day at the Office

You could argue Florian Wirtz was frustrating for large parts, depsite having some nice moments in the game. He did take up a nice position on the left before sliding the ball across the goal for Isak who unfortunately was denied his hattrick for an offside. Guess you could say the German was unlucky but definitely has room for improvement.

I'd love to see him be harder to knock off the ball consistently. I can forgive the misplaced passess due to his tendancy to try lots of things, and that's just something we have to learn to accept.

Florian Wirtz has lost possession more times (53) than any other player in the Premier League this season. ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/xyY4wMdPnh

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) September 4, 2026

Player Ratings

Alisson Becker - 7/10: Steady is the word. Virtually no work to do despite Ipswich having a fair few shots on goal.

Ronald Araújo - 6/10: His inclusion was justified due to the number of times he won aerials from Ipswich's long switch to the left side. There's no question they planned to face Frimpong instead.

Jérémy Jacquet - 5/10: Slightly shaky this game, although he wasn't helped by the amount of space he had to defend at times. Emersonn was a persistent tricky customer for the Frenchman.

Virgil Van Dijk - 8/10: An absolute colossus. There is no words available in the dictionary to describe just how good this man-mountain is.

Milos Kerkez - 6/10: Probably his best game this season. Did well for the first goal - an instance where his aggresive nature paid off. I would like it if he didn't go to ground as much, however.

Alexis Mac Allister - 6/10: Had a very good first half especially on the ball. Faded ever so slightly in the second, but all in all much better from the Argentine.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 5/10: Seems to be a bit of a conundrum at the moment. Has some more than redeeming qualities but I'm not quite sure whether his future is in a two-man midfield.

Florian Wirtz - 5/10: Flattering to decieve for most parts. Linked up nicley here and there but needs to be stronger on the ball.

Cody Gakpo - 8/10: Two excellent assists for the Dutchman. Thank god Liverpool decided to keep him.

Victor Muñoz - 6/10: Workrate was excellent and provided the necessary width on the right for Isak and Gakpo to excell.

Alexander Isak - 9/10: Isak is back and the league better watch out!

Substitutes

Ryan Gravenberch - 5/10: First involvement was giving a free-kick away. Didn't offer much presence on the ball.

Bradley Barcola - 5/10: Few nice touches when he came on, combined with lightning speed. Cannot wait to see more.

Trey Nyoni - 5/10: N/A

Lewis Koumas - 5/10: N/A

What Next for Liverpool?

The Reds divert their attention to the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night. They face an Atletico Madrid side who've had a mixed start to their La Liga season. Their latest game, a 3-0 away defeat against Athletic Club.

Liverpool will be hoping it's more of the same from Isak and more of the same from Atletico.

The Spanish side will be no doubt looking to avenge the opening match defeat against the Reds last year. It was a game which Liverpool won in the last minute, courtesy of Virgil Van Dijk.