Isak nets double and Barcola debuts in Liverpool’s first win of season under new coach

IPSWICH, England (AP) — Alexander Isak scored twice and Bradley Barcola debuted as Liverpool got its first win in the Premier League under its new coach after beating Ipswich 2-0 away on Friday.

Liverpool had been held to a pair of 2-2s against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in Andoni Iraola’s first games in charge.

But Liverpool got clicking right from kickoff at Ipswich as Isak struck twice in the opening minutes from a pair of assists by Cody Gakpo.

Barcola went on for his first action in a Liverpool shirt as a 63rd-minute substitution. He joined from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday in a deal worth 123 million pounds ($166 million).

Isak got going in the sixth when the Sweden international took a Gakpo pass on the right side of the box and struck a powerful shot that hit goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen before finding the net.

Gakpo set up Isak again just three minutes later. He used the outside edge of his boot to bend a long forward pass behind the defense to meet his teammate’s run. Isak did the rest by switching foot before firing home.

Isak’s first season at Anfield was marred by injuries and he scored only four times in 22 appearances. But he’s up to three in the third round and Iraola is confident the striker will “produce the numbers.”

“Yes, 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.”

Ipswich, promoted at the end of last season, has two losses and one win in its return to the top flight.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here