Iraola hails Isak after first Liverpool win at Ipswich: ‘He’s a massive player for us’

Andoni Iraola praised the impact of Alexander Isak and the discipline of his Liverpool side after a dominant 2-0 win at Ipswich Town gave the new head coach his first Premier League win and lifted the Reds to fifth in the table.

Isak struck twice in the opening nine minutes at Portman Road to put the result beyond doubt before half-time, converting a near-post finish from Cody Gakpo’s first assist in the sixth minute before showing quick feet to round Kjell Scherpen and roll into an open goal three minutes later.

The goals are Isak’s second and third of the Premier League season, matching his entire tally from a difficult debut campaign at Anfield plagued by injury under Arne Slot.

The win arrived at a critical moment for Iraola, who had drawn his opening two matches and been under growing scrutiny following a chaotic summer. The Basque manager was clearly relieved in his post-match interviews.

“Definitely to get the first win. We needed that one with the way it has been. We got a clean sheet. Controlling the game quite well – I think that we started the game really strong, and then it was another kind of second half. Probably wasn’t as good as the first one,” he said.

Iraola on Isak: ‘My fight with him will be about other stuff’

Iraola was adamant about the quality Isak brings to this Liverpool side, while also revealing that his expectations of the striker extend well beyond the goals.

“He’s a massive player for us. My demands will probably not be about the goals, I know he is fit and in good shape. He’s going to produce the numbers.

“My fight with him will be more about other stuff, how to help the team in other situations, but it is good he has already played two full games, scoring the goals, so I am very happy to have him.

“Today I thought we were much better in our press in the first half, so we were covering very high and we could make contact with him in good positions. If we recover the ball lower, it will be harder to find him, so it’s all about a community effort to get our number nine in situations that he was in today.”