Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola reacts after the English Premier League football match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola reacts after the English Premier League football match between Ipswich Town and Liverpool (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)
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When Liverpool last travelled to Ipswich Town, it marked the start of the Arne Slot era. Quick-fire goals in the second half from the late Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah earned a 2-0 win and victory for the Reds’ new head coach at the first time of asking.
Fast forward two years and the more things are different, the more they stay the same. Liverpool are again embarking on a new era with Andoni Iraola now the man in the dugout.
And just like his predecessor, Portman Road would prove to be the venue for his Reds side to get up and running, tasting victory for the first time in Suffolk.
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Few would have predicted that the first post-Jurgen Klopp season would have ended in Premier League glory. Admittedly, it would be an even bigger surprise if Iraola leads his side to the title at the first time of asking this time around.
This is a Liverpool side in transition, after all, with Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch the only survivors from the starting XI 25 months ago. From the matchday squad of 20 that day, 11 are no longer Reds players.
But after successive 2-2 draws, which saw the Reds trail four times, Iraola’s Liverpool are now moving in the right direction, after claiming this first victory at the third time of asking. And a first clean sheet too.
The message from the Spaniard during the opening weeks of the season was that Liverpool would have to be patient. Patient for his side to click and adapt, patient for new signings to arrive.
A lengthy pursuit of Bradley Barcola belatedly came to a successful conclusion at the start of the week, with the Frenchman completing his £123m transfer from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day eve.
Just like Liverpool have been made to wait a little longer than they would like both for their first win under their new head coach and to land Barcola’s signature, supporters were made to wait that little bit longer to see the forward in red for the first time as he was named only as substitute against the Tractor Boys.
But as Barcola watched on from the bench, the patience finally paid off for the only man in Liverpool history to cost more than the Frenchman - Alexander Isak.
The Swede’s troubles in his first season on Merseyside are well-documented. But little over a year on from his record move to Anfield, here he looked finally like the £125m striker the Reds had been so desperate to sign.
It took just six minutes for the forward to open the scoring. Taking the ball in his stride from a fabulous through-ball from Cody Gakpo, Isak powered home at the near post.
“Isak’s a Red, ole, ole! rang out from the travelling Kop. But soon it was “Isak again, ole, ole!”
Like London buses, he had his second three minutes later. Running onto a stunning trivela pass from Gakpo, he twisted one way and then the other to turn his marker inside out before slotting under the goalkeeper.
On his only previous visit to Portman Road, Isak scored a hat-trick for Newcastle United. Only a marginal offside denied him a second matchball after converting Florian Wirtz’s low cross at the far post.
Still, now boasting three goals for the season to match his Premier League total of last year - and with six goals from just three outings against Ipswich - the real Alexander Isak is back.
Of course, he was not the only player to shine. Gakpo was equally superb on the left while Wirtz also impressed as the Reds put together their most eye-catching offensive display of the early Iraola reign so far. After the ills of last season, Liverpool are slowly becoming fun to watch again.
How relieved Anfield bosses must be that they resisted Man City’s attempts to lure the Dutchman away in an £85m deal. Boasting three assists and a goal from three outings this season, if he had played like this last year, they would never have considered sanctioning a departure in the first place.
While the likes of Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr are left licking their wounds at Anfield summer transfers that did not come to fruition, Liverpool will certainly be stronger for retaining Gakpo.
The Reds thought they might have a penalty midway through the second half after the lively Dominik Szoboszlai was scythed down. However, a VAR review showed the Hungarian had been offside in the build-up.
Against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool were too weak in midfield and too leaky defensively. But Ronald Araujo made a noticeable difference as he played a vital role in the Reds keeping their first clean sheet of the season after being handed a full Liverpool debut.
He denied Ipswich a tap-in with one vital interception in the first half, but it was after the break when the Uruguayan grew in stature.
Time and time again he threw his body on the line, winning countless aerial battles and putting in numerous blocks and clearances - celebrating one almost like a goal with Virgil van Dijk as the Reds dug in for this first clean sheet.
Alisson Becker had to be alert to deny Julio Enciso on more than one occasion, while Abdul Fatawu gave Milos Kerkez a tough evening’s work - highlighted by a rash caution picked up for a late lunge on the Ghanaian. But Liverpool stayed firm to see out the win.
Isak’s night came to an end in the 64th minute as Barcola was given his debut, sent on alongside Ryan Gravenberch. Before the France international had even entered the field, the travelling Kop were chanting how ‘he runs down the wing for me,’ dusting off an old fan-favourite chant previously reserved for Maxi Rodriguez.
In truth though, Barcola’s debut was quiet. With this his first performance since France’s World Cup third-place play-off defeat to England back in July, clearly a little more patience is required.
Understandably, it was thought that this night would belong to Barcola. But Isak had other ideas.
While the Frenchman would be serenaded once more after the final whistle, the loudest cheers were reserved for Isak as he was pushed forward by Van Dijk to take in the acclaim.
Iraola’s Liverpool are still finding their feet. But on this evidence, ‘Isak’s a Red!’ will become a regular soundtrack during the season ahead.
In this instance, patience has been a virtue. While overseeing this work in progress, the Reds head coach will hope it continues to pay off across the board.
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