Alexander Isak scored twice as Liverpool secured a 2-0 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town, handing manager Andoni Iraola his first win since taking charge in the summer. The Sweden international struck in the sixth and ninth minutes at Portman Road on Friday, easing fears of a third consecutive winless match for the Reds.

With his side in control during the second half, Iraola introduced Bradley Barcola for his debut in the 64th minute, with the French winger having become the club's record signing following his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain. "We needed this win," Iraola told Sky Sports. "It was also nice to get a clean sheet and control the match. The second half was not as good as the first, but we didn't concede any chances."

Isak's first goal came from a drilled finish inside the area after being set up by Cody Gakpo, which Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen could not keep out. The second was a solo effort, as Gakpo's outside-of-the-foot through-ball released Isak, who dribbled past Jacob Greaves before slotting home. "We were talking about starting the game well. It was perfect for us to get those two quick goals," Isak said. "We are starting to get to the way we want to play. We want to be offensive. We could have scored more."

Iraola replaced Arne Slot, who was sacked after one season as Liverpool's title defense collapsed. The former Bournemouth boss had drawn his first two games against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. Ipswich, a newly promoted side, represented a potential stumbling block after winning their opening league game and pushing Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Liverpool dominated throughout and kept a deserved clean sheet. "We were more direct, which we wanted, in the start and we scored two great goals," said captain Virgil van Dijk. Isak had a goal ruled out for a potential hat-trick in the first half, while Dominik Szoboszlai thought he had won a penalty in the second period following a challenge from Leif Davis, but VAR ruled the midfielder offside.

Source: www.aljazeera.com