Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was full of praise for Alexander Isak after his side’s 2-0 win away to Ipswich Town. The clash gave the newly appointed Basque coach his first three-pointer in the Premier League, lifting the Reds up to fifth place in the table.
Isak decided the game even before half-time. After just six minutes, he made it 1-0 at the near post after a preparation by Cody Gakpo – his first assist for the club. Three minutes later, he followed up with a gem: quick leg movements, rounded goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen and rolled the ball into an empty goal.
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The goals were Isak’s second and third of the season in the league, and already as many as he scored in his injury-plagued debut season at Anfield under Arne Slot.
The win came at a crucial time for Iraola, who had drawn their first two games and felt the pressure in the wake of a turbulent summer. After the game, the relief was evident.
“We really needed this first win. We kept a clean sheet and controlled the game well. Especially in the first half we were strong, while the second half was a different kind of story – maybe not as good, but we got what we needed,” said Iraola.
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Iraola on Isak: “Our game is about other things”
Alexander Isak and Liverpool are jubilant.
Iraola was in no doubt about the quality the Swede brings to the team, but stressed that his expectations of the striker extend far beyond assists.
“He’s a huge player for us. My demands on him are probably not about the number of goals – I know he’s in good form and the goals will come. Our game is more about everything else: how he can help the team in different phases of the game. But of course it’s pleasing that he’s already played two full games and found the back of the net. I’m very happy to have him in the squad.
“Today we were much better in the pressing game in the first half. We won the ball high and found him in good positions. If we have to get the ball further down, it becomes more difficult to exploit him. So this is about a collective lift to put our number nine in the situations he showed us today,” Iraola concluded.
