Andoni Iraola Secures First Premier League Win as Liverpool Manager at Ipswich
Liverpool ended their winless start under new manager Andoni Iraola with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, thanks to Alexander Isak's early brace and Bradley Barcola's debut.
By Oliver Hartmann · First published 4 Sept 2026
In brief
- Andoni Iraola took charge of Liverpool this summer, seeking his first Premier League victory after two draws.
- Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola in late August, boosting the squad ahead of their away match at Ipswich Town.
- Alexander Isak scored twice in the opening ten minutes, giving Liverpool a commanding 2-0 lead early on.
- The match at Portman Road marked Iraola's first league win as Liverpool manager and Barcola's debut for the club.
- Liverpool now look to build on this momentum, aiming for consistency as the Premier League season continues.
Timeline · 5 moments
Liverpool sign Bradley Barcola ahead of Ipswich match
World News CNA ↗Iraola hints Barcola could debut against Ipswich Town
ESPN ↗Liverpool and Ipswich Town prepare for Premier League clash
ESPN FC ↗Alexander Isak scores twice early to put Liverpool ahead
BBC Sport ↗Iraola celebrates first Premier League win as Liverpool manager
Al Jazeera ↗How it started
Andoni Iraola was appointed Liverpool manager during the summer, tasked with steering the club back to winning ways after a period of change. His first two league matches ended in draws, leaving both fans and pundits eager for a breakthrough win.
To strengthen the squad, Liverpool signed French winger Bradley Barcola at the end of August. Iraola expressed optimism about Barcola's attitude and potential impact, hinting he could play a role against Ipswich Town.
The buildup to the Ipswich match focused on whether Liverpool could finally secure a victory under their new coach and how the new signing would fit into the team's plans.
How it unfolded
On September 3, talk centered on Barcola's arrival and the anticipation surrounding his possible debut. Iraola's search for a first win remained a major storyline as Liverpool prepared for a tricky away fixture at Portman Road.
The match took place on September 4, with Liverpool facing Ipswich Town. Expectations were high as Barcola made his first appearance for the club, and the team featured several high-value players.
Alexander Isak struck early, scoring two goals within the opening ten minutes of the match. Both goals came after Ipswich's goalkeeper made costly errors, allowing Liverpool to seize control quickly.
Liverpool maintained their lead throughout the match, with Isak's brace proving decisive. The 2-0 win not only ended Liverpool's run of draws but also gave Iraola his first Premier League victory as manager.
Barcola's debut was noted as a positive, adding depth and energy to the squad as Liverpool seek to find their rhythm under new leadership.
Where it stands
Liverpool now have their first league win of the season under Andoni Iraola, lifting pressure from the new manager after a slow start. The victory at Ipswich Town, highlighted by Isak's early goals and Barcola's debut, marks a turning point as the club aims to build momentum.
With this result, Liverpool move forward with renewed confidence. The team will look to continue improving and establish consistency as the Premier League campaign progresses.
What to watch
Attention will turn to whether Liverpool can maintain this form in their next fixtures and how Barcola will be integrated into Iraola's system. The club's ability to build on this win and avoid further setbacks will be closely watched by supporters and analysts alike.


