The Full Time Report — Episode 120: Isak Arrives, Iraola Wins
Alexander Isak needed nine minutes to change the mood around Liverpool.
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The Full Time Report — Episode 120: Isak Arrives, Iraola Wins
The Full Time Report returns to Liverpool's first Premier League win under Andoni Iraola: Alexander Isak scored twice inside nine minutes at Ipswich, Cody Gakpo supplied both assists, and Bradley Barcola made his debut. The episode also separates Friday's confirmed team news from transfer uncertainty before the weekend's fixtures.
The first nine minutes
Liverpool beat Ipswich Town 2–0 at Portman Road on Friday 4 September. Alexander Isak scored in the sixth and ninth minutes, with Cody Gakpo assisting both goals. Isak also had a first-half goal ruled out for offside, while Liverpool recorded their first clean sheet of the season. 1
The result gave Andoni Iraola his first Premier League win as Liverpool manager. The manager said Isak's goals will follow when the striker is fit and in good shape, but he also stressed Isak's contribution to the collective game. 2
What the win changes
ESPN reports that Isak scored only four times in 22 appearances during an injury-hit first Liverpool campaign. Friday's brace took him to three Premier League goals in three matches this season. Cody Gakpo's two assists and his ability to move into the number-nine role gave Liverpool a second useful attacking story alongside Isak's finishing. 3
Bradley Barcola came on in the 64th minute for his Liverpool debut after moving from Paris Saint-Germain. Iraola said Barcola had not played since the World Cup, so the half-hour was as much about rebuilding match fitness as making an immediate statement. 2
Friday's status board
Friday's Premier League press conferences added several pieces of confirmed team news:
- David Moyes said Everton have a small squad after the failed Folarin Balogun move.
- Michael Carrick said he was delighted with Manchester United's transfer business.
- Enzo Fernandez was ready to join Manchester City's squad for the Coventry match.
- William Saliba was in Arsenal's Champions League squad, although Mikel Arteta did not know how long the defender would be out. Bruno Guimaraes was expected to train after a knock.
- Mykhailo Mudryk was available for Tottenham, while a possible Turkish bid for Richarlison remained unconfirmed.
- Aston Villa left Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Brian Madjo and Modou Keba Cisse out of their Champions League list; Villa said Cisse was injured and Madjo would miss at least two weeks. 4
The UEFA Champions League league phase begins from 8 to 10 September. No men's Champions League or Europa League matches were played on Friday 4 September. 5
The weekend's key Premier League fixtures are Newcastle v Bournemouth, Brentford v Sunderland, Brighton v Leeds, Fulham v Crystal Palace, Manchester City v Coventry, Nottingham Forest v Tottenham, Hull v Aston Villa, Everton v Manchester United, and Arsenal v Chelsea.
References
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