Liverpool finally have their first Premier League win of the season.
A 2-0 victory over Ipswich at Portman Road was exactly what Andoni Iraola needed after three points had somehow slipped away in two successive 2-2 draws.
It wasn’t perfect, but Liverpool got the job done — and there were some very interesting talking points to come out of the game.
Here are my five biggest takeaways.
1️⃣ Liverpool started fast — and that won them the game
Liverpool absolutely flew out of the traps.
Within nine minutes, the game was effectively won.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring in the sixth minute before adding another just three minutes later, giving Liverpool a two-goal cushion before Ipswich had really settled into the game.
And that was the biggest difference from the opening two league games.
Against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool had to chase the game after conceding. This time, they put themselves in control immediately.
It allowed Iraola’s side to manage the game rather than constantly having to find a way back into it.
Liverpool didn’t need to take unnecessary risks after going 2-0 up.
Start quickly, score early and make the opposition chase you.
It sounds simple, but it made a huge difference.
2️⃣ Is Ronald Araujo the solution at right-back?
This is the question I really want to ask after that performance.
Is Araujo the answer to Liverpool’s right-back problem?
He was outstanding.
Araujo made his first Liverpool start at right-back and produced exactly the sort of performance Liverpool supporters have been crying out for from that position.
He looked strong defensively, aggressive in the challenge and extremely difficult for Ipswich to get past.
There was also a composure about his performance that Liverpool have been missing at times.
I’m not saying one game suddenly proves that Araujo should be Liverpool’s permanent right-back.
But after the problems Liverpool have experienced in that position, Iraola has to be thinking about it.
Maybe Liverpool didn’t need to sign another specialist right-back after all.
Maybe the solution was already in the squad.
3️⃣ Cody Gakpo was the creator
Everyone will quite rightly talk about Isak’s two goals.
But I thought Cody Gakpo deserves enormous credit.
He provided both assists.
And they weren’t just simple passes either.
The first was an excellent piece of attacking play, while the second was a brilliant ball into Isak’s path.
Gakpo has now started the season brilliantly, and this performance only strengthens the argument that Liverpool were right to keep him.
There was so much talk about interest from Manchester City before the season began.
Imagine Liverpool selling him and then having to replace this.
It would have made absolutely no sense to me.
Gakpo isn’t just scoring goals.
He’s creating them.
And if he can continue producing performances like this, Liverpool have another extremely important attacking weapon.
4️⃣ Alexander Isak showed exactly what he does best
This was the Isak Liverpool supporters have been waiting to see.
Two goals.
Both inside the opening nine minutes.
And both demonstrated why Liverpool were prepared to spend a British-record £125 million on him.
The movement was excellent.
The finishing was excellent.
And, most importantly, he looked sharp.
Isak has the ability to make runs that defenders simply cannot cope with when he’s confident and receiving good service.
Against Ipswich, he got exactly that.
Gakpo supplied him twice and Isak did the rest.
That’s the formula Liverpool need.
Give Isak service and let him do what he does best.
After the criticism he received following some quieter performances, this was the perfect response.
And if Liverpool can consistently get him into these positions, I wouldn’t be surprised if Isak has a huge season.
5️⃣ Florian Wirtz is still struggling
This is the one negative I would take from the game.
I’m still waiting to see the best of Florian Wirtz in a Liverpool shirt.
He wasn’t terrible at Ipswich, but he wasn’t the player I know he’s capable of being either.
There were moments of quality, including an effort that forced a save and some good combinations, but he still looked like a player searching for his rhythm.
And perhaps that’s exactly what it is.
Rhythm.
Wirtz is still adapting to Iraola’s system, his teammates and the demands of Premier League football.
I’m certainly not writing him off.
Far from it.
But with Barcola now arriving and Gakpo playing so well, Wirtz will have to start producing consistently if he wants to remain one of Liverpool’s main attacking focal points.
The good news?
I still believe the best is to come.
🔴 The big picture
Liverpool didn’t need to be spectacular at Ipswich.
They needed to win.
And they did.
The fast start gave them control, Araujo looked extremely promising at right-back, Gakpo continued his excellent form and Isak finally showed Liverpool supporters exactly what their £125m striker can do.
Wirtz remains the one question mark for me.
But there is plenty to be encouraged about.
Liverpool have their first win under Iraola.
And after two frustrating draws, that’s exactly what mattered most.
Now let’s see what they can build from it.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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