Alexander Isak marked Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League victory as Liverpool boss with a rapid-fire double inside the opening nine minutes, sealing a 2-0 win away at Ipswich on Friday night.

The result finally got the Reds off the mark after two draws had opened Iraola’s reign, echoing the slow start he endured at Bournemouth back in 2023.

Isak, who had bagged a hat-trick on his last trip to Portman Road while at Newcastle, punished poor decision-making from Ipswich goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen to open the scoring in the sixth minute before doubling his tally three minutes later. Cody Gakpo, continuing his bright form under the new coach, teed up both strikes.

The Swede was denied what would have been a first-half hat-trick when a follow-up effort from a Florian Wirtz delivery was ruled out for offside.

Liverpool then eased off the gas after the break, opting for control rather than a rout, and handed Bradley Barcola his Premier League debut following his big-money switch from PSG.

There was late drama at the other end when VAR chalked off a possible Liverpool penalty, ruling that Dominik Szoboszlai had strayed offside before Leif Davis’s challenge.

Ipswich also had grievances of their own, feeling defender Jérémy Jacquet should have picked up a second booking for a foul on Emersonn that went unpunished.

Despite back-to-back defeats, Gary O’Neil’s side steadied themselves after the rocky start and earned applause from their home crowd for a spirited second-half showing at a packed Portman Road.