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 just edged out one of his teammates as Liverpool’s highest-rated player from the Reds’ 2-0 win over Ipswich.
The Reds secured their first Premier League victory of the season at Portman Road, as Andoni Iraola got his first three points as head coach.
Isak scored twice early on, burying two finishes, before Liverpool saw out the rest of the game to win 2-0 with relative ease.
Here we compare our player ratings with those of the Liverpool Echo, BBC Sport and the TIA readers..
At long last, Isak (8.65) resembled the elite striker that Liverpool made their record signing 12 months ago.
The Swede took both of his goals superbly against Ipswich, with This Is Anfield‘s Danny Gallagher saying this “could be a crucial turning point” for him.
Phil McNulty of BBC Sport praised Isak’s combination of “clever movement with cool finishes,” as he “finally showed” why he is Liverpool’s most expensive player.
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)
Cody Gakpo (8.53) was also excellent for the Reds, assisting twice and showing a great attitude after not joining Man City.
The Echo‘s Theo Squires simply said: “That’s why Liverpool decided to keep him!”
Virgil van Dijk (7.38) was the third-best player on the night, producing an effortlessly calm performance and being called “unruffled” by McNulty.
Milos Kerkez (6.33) still isn’t fully convincing, however, getting the lowest score after struggling against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, too.
What the stats say: Gakpo pips Isak with 8.9 rating
According to FotMob, Gakpo (8.9) was Liverpool’s standout player statistically.
The Dutchman’s pair of assists played a big part in that, with precise passing on show, and he also completed 100 per cent of his dribbles (2/2).
Florian Wirtz had an up-and-down night for Liverpool, winning only four out of 13 duels, but having the most touches inside the box for the Reds (6).
Alexis Mac Allister was much improved at the heart of the midfield, making an unrivalled 12 defensive contributions for the visitors.
Gakpo Iraola
Gakpo Iraola
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Nottingham Forest FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola speaking to Sky Sports before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Ipswich Town v Liverpool FC
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - Friday, September 4, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo during the FA Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Liverpool FC at Portman Road. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)