Alexander Isak scored twice in three first-half minutes as Liverpool beat Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road and gave Andoni Iraola his first Premier League win as Reds manager.

The Sweden striker opened the scoring in the sixth minute, running onto Cody Gakpo’s pass and beating Kjell Scherpen at the near post. Three minutes later Gakpo found him again. Isak turned and slipped the ball past the exposed goalkeeper for 2-0.

That was the contest in all but name. Ipswich, unbeaten at home in the league for 18 games under Gary O’Neil before kick-off, created moments after the break. Leif Davis headed over. Liverpool were never seriously shaken.

Isak almost had a hat-trick before half-time but was flagged offside after converting from Florian Wirtz. Bradley Barcola, the summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain, came on in the 63rd minute for his Premier League debut.

Liverpool had drawn their first two league matches 2-2. Five points from three games lifts them into the early mix. Gakpo’s two assists also answered a week of transfer noise after Manchester City’s interest.

Iraola has his first three points. Isak, signed for a British-record fee last year and slow to find his range last season, now has three league goals already. Ipswich have a reminder that promotion nights do not last forever at this level.

Photo Credit: Getty Images