Isak’s Two Thunderbolts and Araujo’s Wall Give Iraola’s Liverpool Its First Win

Liverpool needed only eight minutes to make Ipswich’s more than €200 million investment in 12 players look insignificant. Alexander Isak struck twice at the start of the match, giving Andoni Iraola’s team a 2-0 victory in the third round of the Premier League.

The result also brought Liverpool its first clean sheet of the league campaign. Ronald Araujo made his first start and proved difficult to beat at right-back, a position opened by injuries. Inside the club, Virgil van Dijk is said to have suggested that Iraola use the Uruguayan there.

Araujo’s performance came after a troubled period at Barcelona, and the article describes him as not yet at 50 percent. Still, his defensive display offered an important response for a team that had conceded in its previous nine league and Champions League matches. Liverpool now turns to its Champions League opener against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday.

Isak also needed a response. Liverpool paid €145 million for the Swedish striker, making him the most expensive player in history, but last season he scored only four goals in 22 matches while dealing with uncertainty, anxiety and injuries. After touching the ball just 13 times in a full match against Nottingham Forest, he answered with two precise finishes at Ipswich. His movement and timing turned simple control and shooting into a decisive start.