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Liverpool can reap Alexander Isak rewards after “pivotal trigger” for Andoni Iraola

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)

Alexander Isak was unsurprisingly lauded by the media after his star turn in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Ipswich.

The Reds are finally back to winning ways in the Premier League, thanks to Isak’s first-half brace at Portman Road.

Liverpool produced a professional display on Friday night, keeping their first clean sheet in 10 games to provide a much-needed feel-good factor.

Here’s how the media assessed an important three points.

This felt like a big night for Isak…

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)

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp was delighted for the Reds’ record signing:

“Never underestimate what it’s like if you’ve not had a pre-season. For him, right now he will feel so good when he sees those goals going in.

“Absolutely [he’ll be feeling relief] because he would’ve questioned himself. He’ll feel like someone’s taken his talent. Why can’t I do what I was doing at Newcastle?

“Now he looks like a player that’s absolutely full of confidence and fantastic goals. Iraola will be thinking he can reap the rewards of this.”

BBC Sport‘s Kiefer MacDonald believes Iraola will love what he saw from the Swede:

“It was a night that was supposed to belong to Liverpool’s latest blockbuster signing, Barcola, but Isak had other ideas.

[…]

“The prospect of a fully fit and firing Isak leading the line, flanked by Gakpo and fellow £100m-plus signings Florian Wirtz and Barcola, will no doubt excite Iraola after he secured his first win as Liverpool manager.”

The Guardian‘s John Brewin saw promising signs of the old Isak during the first half:

“Isak, who had a third first-half goal disallowed for offside, was making the runs that made his reputation, looking nothing like the sorry figure he cut in his debut, lost season before injury ruled him out for five months.”

Anantaajith Raghuraman of The Athletic was similarly enamoured with the striker:

“Throughout that first half, there were encouraging moments between Isak, Gakpo and Florian Wirtz, forming triangles on the left to exchange quick passes.

“At times, he held his width to let the other two drift infield, while in other cases — like for a third finish just past the half-hour that was ruled out for offside — he pinned defenders in the box to open up pockets of space. There were moments where he led the press well, too.

“This version of Isak suits Iraola’s style, especially in these early stages of his reign, where clinical finishing can prove crucial.”

The Daily Mail‘s Lewis Steele said Liverpool’s attack shone as a collective, though:

“Lift off for the Andoni Iraola era. The headlines will go to Alexander Isak, and rightly so, but all the forwards deserve praise.

“First half the best and most energetic I’ve seen them play with for some time, second half they were made to fight and did that very well.”

Tom Alnutt of the Times was quick to praise Cody Gakpo, having stayed put at Liverpool:

“Isak’s wonderful finishing aside, Gakpo was the best player on the pitch in the first half — but can he play on the right?

“Assuming Barcola gets to play in his favoured position, the conundrum is where Gakpo fits into a team so stacked with talent on the left but with fewer options on the opposite side.”

This was much more like it from Liverpool…

David Lynch loved how Liverpool effectively killed the game dead as a contest after the break:

“Vital for Andoni Iraola and Liverpool to get that first win of the season on board – and a deserved one, too.

“Think the manager will be particularly pleased with how the second half turned into a non-event after all the hard work had been done in the first nine minutes.”

The Telegraph‘s Dominic King didn’t go overboard about the result, but saw clear signs of improvement:

“Liverpool off the mark for Andoni Iraola and that was an evening when things looked better all around.

“It’s a start – nothing else – but it was needed to kick-start the season.”

The Independent‘s Kieran Jackson said this could prove to be a “pivotal trigger” for Iraola in his tenure:

“The Reds have only once gone seven Premier League games without a win – and that was 24 years ago. There would be no repeat here.

“A comfortable triumph, a clean sheet and Iraola’s leading No 9 in the goals. Boxes were most certainly ticked.

“The Spaniard’s tenure may well depend on whether he can get the club’s high-priced purchases – Isak, Barcola, Wirtz – to fire. An away day in East Anglia could just be the pivotal trigger.”

Football – FA Premier League – Ipswich Town v Liverpool FC

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)

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