IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mates captain Virgil van Dijk (L) and Cody Gakpo (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mates captain Virgil van Dijk (L) and Cody Gakpo (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool clicked very much into gear under the lights in Suffolk, blowing away Ipswich and registering their first win of the season and a maiden three points under Andoni Iraola.
Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool
Premier League (3) | Portman Road
September 4, 2026
Goals: Isak 6′, 9′
Alisson – 7
Calm and collected, leading from the back as ever. Did his job in the important moments but all-in-all a quiet evening on the road for the big Brazilian.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacts during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacts during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ronald Araujo – 7
Clearly isn’t his preference to play full-back but gave a decent enough account of himself.
Was erratic in moments, including shinning the ball high and wayward for an unnecessary corner just before half-time, but likewise advanced well and curled in a couple of textbook crosses.
Still finding his feet in a Liverpool shirt, but giving everything to get to grips with it all, as shown by winning nine of the 10 duels he contested.
Jeremy Jacquet – 6
Tried to keep up with the solid pace Liverpool set all round and found himself looking a tad erratic and clumsy in periods.
Fortunate not to pick up a second yellow, but recovered quickly and took instructions from the skipper well once again thereafter.
Learning on the job is never easy, especially when thrown in at the deep end, but this lad has so much to offer.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Ipswich Town's Abdul Fatawu (L) during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Ipswich Town's Abdul Fatawu (L) during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Virgil van Dijk – 8
Robust and nonchalant, took a few big knocks and ended up in a heap at one point, which we don’t see very often.
Did a solid job at passing out quickly from the back and helping Liverpool’s left side get in between the lines. Was hardly under pressure much and ran the line well.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Played aggressive, front foot. Had the manager barking down his ear on the touchline for the majority of the first half and it helped.
Kerkez didn’t see vast amounts of the ball at feet, but played his part in harrying Ipswich out of possession and forcing turnovers down the left. Could do with toning it down at times, however.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7
Started slowly, quickly clicked into gear and took up steadily better positions in the middle of the park, snuffing the loose balls out well and quickly turning them over for Szoboszlai to shoot from range.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Certainly had his eye for the target honed in, stinging the goalkeeper’s gloves from distance on several occasions. Didn’t look as bypassed as he had done in the first two matches, perhaps signs of a developing understanding of the manager’s philosophy.
Covered serious ground as usual, the second-most of any Liverpool player (11.5km). Broke through well and battled hard for what was a nailed-on penalty, but unfortunately to have made the offside run fractionally too soon.
Florian Wirtz – 7
Has been drowning in criticism of late, but most of his vocal adversaries don’t even watch him play. The movement here was spot on, incisive, highlighted best with the quick turn and assist for what would have been Isak’s third, before the linesman’s flag said otherwise.
Didn’t have lots of space in which to operate, but was largely unmarkable, just needs to retain possession more often.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mate Cody Gakpo after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mate Cody Gakpo after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Victor Munoz – 7
Almost comically fast, missing the roadrunner’s beep-beep when he gets going. Drove at Ipswich early doors here and took every opportunity to draw his marker into a sprint.
A proper fearless footballer but without an ego, just loves getting stuck in and doing his bit for the team.
Cody Gakpo – 8
Model professional this lad. Started the season better than anyone, and another two assists here to boot. Had a hectic summer with the World Cup and tragic family issues, was then embroiled in a transfer saga and still shows up looking razor-focused.
Deserves massive credit, as well as praise. Has assisted every one of Alexander Isak‘s goals so far this season. So sharp here, which is perfect for Liverpool given Barcola has just arrived to compete. Selling Gakpo would have been madness.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alexander Isak – 9 (Man of the match)
Here he is, he’s back. We haven’t seen it this fluently in a red shirt but by god there’s still a footballer in there.
Nimble feet, astute awareness, power of a traction engine in the shots; the Alexander Isak Liverpool had always hoped to sign, who made paying a British record fee a no-brainer.
Early days against hardly the most formidable opponent, but this could be a crucial turning point.
Overall Team Performance – 8
Substitutes
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola (R) waits to come on as Alexander Isak (L) is replaced by Ryan Gravenberch during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Bradley Barcola (R) waits to come on as Alexander Isak (L) is replaced by Ryan Gravenberch during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ryan Gravenberch (on for Isak, 64′) – 6 – Offered presence in the middle of the park and helped Liverpool keep the footing, despite not getting on the ball a great deal.
Bradley Barcola (on for Munoz, 64′) – 7 – Hadn’t kicked a ball for the Reds and was already getting his name sung to the tune of the old Maxi Rodriguez anthem. Drove confidently with the ball and almost grabbed a debut assist when squaring across the area neatly for Gakpo.
Trey Nyoni (on for Mac Allister, 84′) – N/A – More minutes in the tank and important first team experience to underline Iraola’s trust. Will get used so much from the bench this season, deservedly so.
Lewis Koumas (on for Wirtz, 90′) – N/A
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Endo, Frimpong, Ngumoha, Tsimikas
Andoni Iraola – 9
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool looked fitter here and the team who wanted it more. Facing a newly promoted side under the lights on a Friday night always has potential banana skin written all over it, but Liverpool took this in their stride big time.
More of Iraola’s thinking appeared present here, his fingerprints steadily covering more and more of the match day XI.
It was bold from the manager to slot Araujo in at full-back and drop Jeremie Frimpong given all the clamour this week for Szoboszlai to fill in, but Iraola trusted the Barcelona loanee and his sizeable experience.
Handing new boy Bradley Barcola a good half hour run-out was also the right call, giving him a proper dose of Premier League football from the off rather than a glorified cameo.
A really feel-good three points, well earned and very much deserved. Feels like this could be a springboard moment.
Football – FA Premier League – Ipswich Town v Liverpool FC
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Ipswich Town v Liverpool FC
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez is challenged by Ipswich Town's Abdul Fatawu (R) during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo takes a throw in during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)