Ipswich v Liverpool LIVE: Iraola reveals ‘fights’ with Isak after scoring Premier League brace | OneFootball

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has no doubt striker Alexander Isak will “produce the numbers” this season after scoring a nine-minute brace in the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town on Friday night.

Isak struggled in an injury-hit first campaign at Anfield following his £125m arrival from Ipswich but was clinical at Portman Road to earn Iraola his first victory as Liverpool head coach.

“With Alex, if he is fit, if he is available, if he is in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers,” Iraola said. “My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably will be about other things. I will demand other things so we can play well, because if we play well we are in good positions and the goals will come.

“He has to contribute towards the collective and knowing when everyone helps, after the goals and assists will come.”

Iraola also told Sky Sports: “He's a massive player for us. My demands will not be about the goals: he's fit, in a good shape and he will produce the numbers.

“But my fights with him are more about other stuff, how to help the team in other situations. But it's good he has played two full games and today a good amount of minutes, scoring the goals.”

Andoni Iraola praises Cody Gakpo: ' He knows how much we value him'

Andoni Iraola said Cody Gakpo “knows how much we value him” after the Liverpool forward’s two assists in the 2-0 win at Ipswich.

Gakpo was in talks over potential moves to Tottenham and Manchester City before the transfer deadline, but remained at Anfield and displayed his quality at Portman Road.

“I had no doubt with Cody. He has been very good all the pre-season, has started very well the season, producing numbers,” Iraola said.

“After the two assists, he finished as a number nine to help us close the game and I think it’s good to have Cody because he can play in the three positions up top. To have him in this place, for the beginning of the season, it’s good.

“I think Cody knows how much we value him, I think there is no doubt. I rate him very highly.”

(PA)

Andoni Iraola expects goals from Alexander Isak - and reveals 'fights' over defensive work!

Andoni Iraola said he expects that more goals will come from £125m striker Alexander Isak following his brace in the 2-0 win at Portman Road, but revealed he sometimes “fights” with the forward over his work off the ball.

Isak only scored four goals in 22 appearances in an injury-hit first campaign for Liverpool but is off the mark with three from three under Iraola this season.

“He's a massive player for us,” Iraola told Sky Sports. "My demands will not be about the goals: he's fit, in a good shape and he will produce the numbers.

“But my fights with him are more about other stuff, how to help the team in other situations. But it's good he has played two full games and today a good amount of minutes, scoring the goals.”

Iraola spoke more about what he expects off the ball in his post-match press conference and said: “My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably will be about other things. I will demand other things so we can play well, because if we play well we are in good positions and the goals will come. He has to contribute towards the collective and knowing when everyone helps, after the goals and assists will come.

“With Alex, if he is fit, if he is available, if he is in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers.”

Liverpool's Alexander Isak applauds fans after the match (Reuters)

Reaction from Isak

Liverpool’s goalscorer said: "We were waiting for the first win. We talked about starting the game good, which we haven't done recently, so it was perfect for us to get two good quick goals.

“With a normal pre-season, I think we are starting to get to the way we want to play. To be offensive and attack the defence. I think we did that today. We scored two, and we could of scored more.

"It was not easy. It was obviously a long injury and a difficult season in general. I was thinking to have a good World Cup, and then to start off the season well, which I think I have done now. It's kind of behind me, but it wasn't easy."

Liverpool were more direct

Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk, has been assessing his team’s performance and praised their directness at the start of the game.

“I think we were a little bit more direct in the beginning, which is what we wanted to put the danger in their half and create a bit of chaos,” he explained.

“Great goals. Cody [Gakpo] was outstanding. Great win, and on to the next."

Eyebrow raising

Liverpool have now won as many Premier League away games by two or goals this season (one) as they did in the whole of last season (a 2-0 win at West Ham in November 2025).

Mike Jones4 September 2026 22:13