Isak’s double sends Liverpool past Julio Enciso’s Ipswich Town

Alexander Isak needed less than 10 minutes to settle Liverpool’s visit to Portman Road. The Swedish striker scored twice as Liverpool defeated Ipswich Town 2-0 and finally claimed its first Premier League victory of the season.

Liverpool arrived after six league matches without a win, counting the end of last season and opening draws against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest under Andoni Iraola. Ipswich had also built a 20-match unbeaten run at home, but two early strikes changed the contest.

Cody Gakpo created both goals. In the seventh minute, he won the ball back in the opposition half and quickly found Isak, whose angled shot caught goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen by surprise. Two minutes later, Gakpo again split the Ipswich defense. Isak noticed Scherpen off his line and fired into the net for 2-0, which remained the final score.

The goals offered a response from a forward whose performances had previously fallen short of the expectations surrounding his move to Anfield. Isak had joined Liverpool after leaving Newcastle United, where he had been teammates with Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón.

Liverpool also gave Bradley Barcola his first appearance after the French attacker arrived from Paris Saint-Germain. He replaced Víctor Muñoz after an hour but had limited involvement as the match slowed. Ipswich pushed forward with determination but little clarity, while Julio Enciso played the full game in the home side’s attack. Liverpool managed its advantage through the final whistle and gained momentum before its midweek Champions League debut against Atlético Madrid.