Liverpool raced into a 2-0 win within the first nine minutes of the game and displayed vastly improved stability in midfield and defence to secure the first clean sheet of the season.
It was also the first win of the Premier League campaign, with Liverpool seemingly cottoning onto the type of football that Andoni Iraola is keen to see his players produce.
Alisson Becker – 8/10
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There were very few moments that Alisson was really called into action, but everything he needed to do well, he did.
Ronald Araujo – 8/10
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Wow. I was _really_ impressed with him. There will be far more challenging attackers for the Barcelona loanee to face in the coming months, but he acquitted himself brilliantly on his full Liverpool debut. He misplaced a pass with his first touch of the game, but that was the last negative thing I can remember him doing. Iraola might need to make him the first choice right-back until a traditional fullback is signed to fulfil the role.
Jeremy Jacquet – 7.5/10
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Another fine showing from Liverpool’s £60m summer signing. He has been so good for Liverpool that you almost forget that Ibrahima Konate left for free this summer. Jacquet is just 22 as well. Liverpool look to be in very safe hands with the young Frenchman.
Virgil van Dijk – 8/10
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The Dutchman was imperious again, but my heart was in my mouth for a few moments in the first half when he landed awkwardly and seemed to tweak his hip. However, van Dijk wouldn’t let something as silly as a hip injury get in his way, as he was the typically dominant stalwart Liverpool have become almost too accustomed to seeing. It’s a scary thought to imagine this club without him at the heart of the defence.
Milos Kerkez – 5/10
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Another very poor game from Kerkez. He was much better in the second half, but the first half revealed all the same frailties that have been all too evident so far this season. I would have hoped he’d manage a game against Ipswich Town without looking so chaotic, but he continues to act before thinking, and that kind of rash defending will be punished against an opponent like Atletico Madrid next week in the Champions League.
Alexis Mac Allister – 8/10
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This is the Macca we all love and know. Last season was so strange for the Argentine, who was likely suffering from the amount of football he played the season before, but the lethargy that plagued him in Arne Slot’s second season seems to have disappeared. So far this season, Liverpool have looked a lot more measured and dominant when he’s been on the field. His form will be a concern for Ryan Gravenberch, who currently looks third choice to Macca and Szoboszlai.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8/10
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A really good game from the Hungarian. Most of the buildup to the match was centred around how and why Iraola needed to play him at right-back, so many of us were caught off guard to see Araujo start. That said, Szoboszlai was fantastic in the middle of the park. Granted, the midfield competition was weak given the opposition; he was industrious, efficient with his use of possession and could have had a penalty if he had been a yard smarter with the timing of his run.
Florian Wirtz – 6/10
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Another frustrating, if not encouraging, viewing from the German. He was very wasteful in possession, but continued to pick up valuable pockets of space in the midfield. Getting the best out of Wirtz will be the biggest but most rewarding challenge for Andoni Iraola this season. When he’s at his best, the game becomes so easy for Liverpool, but when he’s off the pace, the Reds look terribly wasteful in midfield.
Victor Munoz – 7.5/10
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The Spaniard has been an excellent signing so far. Aside from being absurdly quick, he works his socks off and at just 23, there is so much time and room for him to improve. The £34.6m that Liverpool paid Osasuna for him is already proving to be a real bargain.
Cody Gakpo – 9/10 (Man of the Match AGAIN)
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For the third game in a row, Gakpo gets a goal or an assist. It would really seem as though Liverpool’s £123m deal to sign Bradley Barcola has relit the fire inside the Dutchman, because he has been the standout player at the club in the opening three games of the season so far.
Two assists to Isak in the space of three minutes put the game beyond Ipswich before the home team could really get going.
Liverpool made an excellent decision to keep Gakpo over matching the demands of Crystal Palace and Brighton for Ismaila Sarr and Yankuba Minteh.
My MOTM for three games running. Very, very impressed with him this season.
Alexander Isak – 9/10
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A second goal in two games for Isak. I am really pleased to see him score in back-to-back games, as it will be so good for the Swede, restoring the swagger he lost last season due to injury. He also got me a tidy haul as my captain on FPL…
Both of his goals were superbly taken, but the second goal was sensational. His close control to keep the centre-back at arm’s length, jinking and weaving side to side, it was a fantastic goal.
Three goals now this season.