Alexander Isak scored twice inside the opening 10 minutes as Liverpool won 2-0 at Ipswich on 4 September 2026, both goals set up by Cody Gakpo. The brace handed Andoni Iraola his first Premier League win as Liverpool head coach after opening draws away at Newcastle and at home to Nottingham Forest.
“We are starting to get to the way we want to play. We want to be offensive,” Isak said afterwards.
Three Premier League goals through Liverpool’s first four matches this season already matches the Sweden international’s league tally for the whole of last season, when injuries limited him to 22 appearances under Arne Slot. A leg break ruled him out from December to April. Slot was sacked after one season and the club appointed Iraola on 4 June 2026.
Isak has been direct about it.
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“It was not easy. It was a long injury, a difficult season in general. That season is kind of behind me, but it wasn’t easy.”
Why Liverpool, in his own words
The reasons Isak gave for pushing the move through have not changed. In his first interview as a Liverpool player after the 2025 deadline-day switch, he pointed to a mix of history and project.
“I think it’s a mixture of what the club is building, but what they’re building on top of what the club already is. The history of the club. Me getting the chance to be a part of this, I want to create history. I want to win trophies.”
He was equally direct on his personal timing.
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“I feel like this is the next step for me in my career. I’m super-happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.”
The number on his back was part of the same picture.
“It means a lot, it’s an iconic number. Obviously it comes with a responsibility as well but I’m delighted to have this chance and to get this number.”
£125m, six years, and a stormy Newcastle exit
Liverpool completed the deal on transfer deadline day in September 2025, paying Newcastle a British-record £125m, according to reporting collected by Gulf News. Isak had missed pre-season and trained at his former club Real Sociedad amid uncertainty over his Newcastle future before signing off with an Instagram farewell.
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“I want to express my gratitude to my teammates, the staff, and above all, the city of Newcastle and all the amazing supporters for the three unforgettable years we shared together.”
Iraola’s demands
Iraola, the former Bournemouth manager, is not fixating on the goal column.
“Yes, with Alex, if he is fit, if he is available, if he is in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers.”
“My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably will be about other things. The goals will come.”
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