Isak's early brace fires Liverpool to first win of the season

0:06Welcome to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. The weekend kicked off on Friday night at Portland Road as Ipswich took on Liverpool. Here's how the game finished.

0:33And this the night, a Friday night in early September when Andoni Iraiola really gets the show on the road. His first Liverpool win, his first Liverpool clean sheet and a first Liverpool double for Alexander Isak. It came before we'd really started. Two goals in the space of three minutes inside the first ten minutes of the match. Two clinical finishes. lovely touches in the build-up and then Liverpool able to hold on and see the job through Ipswich huffed and puffed but as Chris was saying throughout the night they lack the quality in the final third so it's back to back defeats for them after that promising start here another sprinkling of£100m players with Bradley Barker coming on and making his debut Chris Liverpool all smiles yep and it's a big win for the manager and only Areola three points and his striker looking sharp scoring two goals and a clean sheet as well into the bargain we mentioned their record last season conceded far too many goals Alisson not much work to do and for Gary O 'Neill plenty to think about brilliant opening day but a couple of defeats he'll want his team to be more competitive well there will of course be bigger tests for Liverpool but the problem right back position was well filled in by Ronald Araujo who helped them to that first clean sheet of the season just their second in 14 Premier League games when you look back to the last campaign and the way that that one ended in such desperate style and then who's going to play on the left, who's going to play on the right well it all turned out nice on the night, didn't it?

2:18It absolutely did, yeah he did pretty well, Ronald Araujo little cameo from Edli Barkalup on the left hand side he looks sharp in moments but all in all a good night for Liverpool last time they were here they won 2-0 to give Arnislad his first win tonight they win 2-0 to give Andoni Iraiola his Kelly thank you very much to Bill and to Chris and Alexander Isak is the man of the moment, Jamie Redknapp the Liverpool fans are singing Alexander the re-sax song there he's got two goals in this game it wasn't a spectacular performance from liverpool but was it an important one for them and was an important one for that man well i'll start with that man first absolutely you know you have to believe in yourself you have to have the belief of the fans that you are the man when you come for such a lot of money that expectation that pressure that it brings he's had a terrible unfortunate injury last year and you're going to hear the liverpool fans you know they absolutely love what they saw today he was magnificent some of his skills his movement but that comes maybe because of the goal he got last week and the confidence that that brings so fingers crossed and for Liverpool fans and for him he could carry this on Alexander Isak is going to join us here pitch side very shortly before that we can hear from Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gatpo with David Craig Virgil Cody congratulations Virgil the first Premier League win of the season and was that a more complete all-round Liverpool performance What was the best performance tonight?

3:50Yeah, it was a good performance. I think a little more direct in the beginning, obviously, that's what we wanted. Wanted to put the danger in there, Al. Spread a bit of chaos, second ball fight. And obviously with the quality that we have, great goals, totally outstanding. So, good win and on to the next. How big a contribution did the man alongside you make and how pleased are you that he's here with you this season? Massive. Obviously, I said it before the transfer window was closed, he's important for us. He will be important this season as well and he showed it today again last week as well with the assist and over the last couple of years as well and let's keep going.

4:33Cody, great praise from your skipper. How happy are you that you're here and involved and your form to start this season? No, I think it was a great game today from our side. Obviously some things we have to improve still but yeah much needed win from from us and yeah very happy that we got the three points and yeah happy with the performance i think alexander isak will be very happy with you've assisted all his goals this season is there something of a special partnership brewing between the two of you uh yeah we will see i think uh obviously as the tech as we always train together we try to to get to know each other even better every every time again and uh hopefully we can assist each many times so he owes me a few assists now.

5:16We'll make sure he knows that. Virgil, with Alexander, is it like almost having a new player after the disappointment for him of last season and the frustration? I don't think the quality is anything that we doubt. Obviously last year he had an unfortunate bad injury and it was down to him. The hard work that he put in each and every day to get back as quickly as possible. I've said it already many times, he's going to be important, he's been important today. I think he had a very good World Cup, he had a very good preseason. He's getting up to speed now and we've seen our good years playing against him and now he's going to show the world with a Liverpool shirt as well.

5:54A bit of a new look back for Liverpool this season with new faces and a clean sheet tonight. How big a bonus is that when they've been hard to come back in the Premier League and recent games? It felt like forever, so I'm very pleased about that. So we go home now, recover and we focus on Champions League. And finally, Cody, you can hear the fans singing behind. What's the sense and the mood of this Liverpool team under Andoni Areola? And what lies ahead? Yeah, hopefully beautiful things ahead. I think, like Virg said, we had a good pre-season all together. And yeah, we have to build on that. And like I said, today the first win.

6:30Yeah, hopefully first of many. And yeah, outstanding support like always. And yeah, build together. Well, listen, congratulations to you both. I wish we had more trophies to give away, but we've only got the one. And I think you know who got it. Of course, well deserved. Who got it? Alex. All the best. We will be able to give that to Alexander Isak very shortly, but he'll have loved playing with Cody Gakpo. Three goals for Alexander Isak so far this season, including two here at Portman Road. All of them have been assisted by Gakpo, who could, in this transfer window, have moved to Manchester City.

7:07He stays at Liverpool, and that's what Virgil van Dijk, his captain and his Netherlands teammate, is so pleased about as they make their way off the pitch. We will be joined as well by Alexander Isak as the Liverpool fans, the travelling Liverpool fans sing Cody Gatpo's name as he turns around to acknowledge them as they head back into the dressing room on the right end of that 2-0 scoreline. So the Premier League weekend is up and running and it continues tomorrow. Newcastle United, Alexander Isak's former side in action at lunchtime. They're up against Bournemouth. Brentford at home to Sunderland.

7:42It's Brighton against Leeds. Fulham Crystal Palace. Manchester City at home to Coventry. Nottingham Forest against Tottenham. And the Saturday night football, five o 'clock for the coverage on Sky Sports Premier League, ahead of that 5.30 kickoff. Hull against Aston Villa. Super Sunday starts at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton against Manchester United. And then it's Arsenal against Chelsea. see both of those on Sky Sports Premier League.

8:13Chelsea! Chelsea! Arsenal are firing from the off. Saka couldn't miss. Champions cruising. A flying start indeed under Xavi Alonso. A darting run and Saka's there and scores. And Chelsea are heading over the hills and far away. Not far from perfection. Have you seen Chelsea yet, yourself? Yeah, I've seen them. What do you think? See you on Sunday.

9:06United, followed by Arsenal against Chelsea on Super Sunday. And if you think you can predict these six scores correctly, you can enter for free for the chance to win a million pounds. Super six, and you can access it by scanning the QR code that you can see on your screen right now.

9:29And Fightland has a new episode every Thursday, 57 on the production team in that one. it's a revenge thriller set in the world of London boxing it's Friday night you might be in the mood for that we are very much in the mood to take a look back at Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Ipswich here at Portman Road it's been a good start to the season for Ipswich in terms of performances but beaten this evening thanks to two goals from Alexander Isak

10:06Hi, it's Hannah Wilkes from the Sunday Supplement podcast. Every week I'll be joined by some of the UK's top sports journalists to go beyond the headlines and unpick the big stories. Catch us every Sunday live on Sky Sports News between 9 and 11am with the podcast dropping as soon as we come off air. So if you don't already, give Sunday Supplement a follow wherever you listen to your podcasts and I'll see you on Sunday mornings.

10:35You're listening to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get back to the studio for more reaction to today's game. It's Gagpo. Fizz into Isak! What a blistering finish from Alexander Isak. Every 32 minutes he bulges the back of the tractor boy's neck. Not a finish yet because he's on the move here, running off Greaves. Isak, he's got another!

11:08Well, is this to be the night that Alexander Isak really arrives for Liverpool?

11:16Two goals for Alexander Isak, two assists for Cody Gakko. And it was Cody Gakko who assisted Isak's goal last weekend as well. And he's just making his way over to join us here pitch side at Portman Road. Alex, hi, thanks very much for coming over. Congratulations. Thank you. Big three points, big to get the first win of the season, but a big night for you as well. Did it feel like an important performance and an important evening? Yeah, for sure. Obviously, we was waiting for the first win and we were talking about starting the game good, which we haven't done recently. So that was perfect for us to get two quick goals.

11:53Do you feel that you're playing your way into this season, having had such a difficult time last time? Yeah, of course. Of course, with a normal pre-season. And I think we're starting to get the way we want to play and be offensive and attack the defence. And I think we showed that today. We scored two and we could have scored more. I want to talk about the human side of being a footballer because last year when you arrived at Liverpool, you cost an awful lot of money, lots of pressure. You didn't have your first game until September. then you broke your leg in, I think, December, and then you came back, didn't play 90 minutes at all.

12:32How difficult was that for you? It was not easy, obviously. It was a long injury, a difficult season in general, which I kind of was thinking, you know, to have a good World Cup firstly and then to start off the season well, which I feel like I've done now. and that's kind of behind me, but yeah, obviously it wasn't easy. And the good part. Let's talk about those goals because they were good. Can you talk us through, give us a bit of punditry here, please? Yeah, we were talking about when we win the ball to get it forward as quickly as possible because that's when things are quite open. So yeah, obviously Cody found me twice, pretty good and yeah.

13:19She says you owe him a couple of assists now. I probably do, I probably do. But that relationship seems to be developing really well. Three goals this season and all three assists from Cody Gakpo. Yeah, I mean, he's done amazingly, you know, assisting and finding me in those situations and in good positions where I enjoy having the ball. I want to show you this one here, Alexander, because you made a run, a little bit of frustration that you want that ball played in behind, but then you get yourself back onside really quickly. Lovely pull by Cody, and then these four beautiful touches from you.

13:54yeah that's nice that's nice I want a bit more come on that was more than nice is that just instinct when you're when you're in that situation yeah I enjoy being in those positions you know especially off the left so yeah I think the more I get in those positions the better I will do Alex when you're running through it looks like you're just looking at the ball but in terms of Sherpen's position in his goal do you know where he is to just get that half a yard to then finish that with your left foot? I think that's purely instinct. So my instinct probably knew where he was, but I just, you know, everything goes really quick.

14:34It's amazing to see you playing with that instinct now. And like you say, a good World Cup, a good strong pre-season behind you. Do you feel like if you're given that service this season to find those pockets that it showed with the first goal, your first touch, instinctive finish, you're ready to take that challenge on and lead that front line for Liverpool? Yeah, for sure, for sure. and we have so much threat up front and I think all of us, if we win the ball, play forward and try to attack, I think all of us will enjoy our offensive game. You mentioned playing forward. Andoni obviously wants that.

15:06As soon as you won that ball back for the first goal, he wants that ball played forward to you guys. That must be music to your ears as well. Yeah, for sure. If you think about it, when you win the ball, that's when teams are unorganised and if you can get the ball forward quickly, that's when you can hurt the opposition. And have you got any numbers, any ideas of how many goals? Because it's a great start for you now, three and three. You must be very excited. Yeah, still early. I think we still have a lot to learn and I think game by game at this point. And the Liverpool fans are seeing the real Alexander-Isac.

15:39Yeah, starting to get there. The support was unreal today and very much appreciated. Yeah, they were singing your song quite vocally at the end of that game there. You said it yourself, you talked big picture about what the manager wants, that he wants to get the ball forward quickly. In terms of what he wants from you, is it fair to say you're probably going to get fewer touches maybe of the ball than you would do at Newcastle, for example, but that you have to be really efficient with them? Is that something that you've talked about or looked at? Yeah, some games might be like that and then you have to stay ready and try to be effective once you get the ball.

16:16But I think, yeah, games like today, I felt like I was pretty involved in the game. And, you know, hopefully it can go on like this. Two shots on target, two goals, 2-0 win, which means you are the Premier League player of the match. Thank you. Thank you very much. Good to talk to you. And thank you for coming over. Thanks very much. Well done. Well done, man. Congratulations. So Alexander Isak, player of the match in this game. and we talked about him and what he brings and the way that he describes how big a season this potentially could be for him. I mean, you've been there, Jamie, coming back from a serious injury, particularly for a player who's only just joined the club, has only just got back to fitness and then breaks his leg scoring a goal for the new club.

17:01Absolutely, Kelly, and it's the worst. And what it showed you as well, he didn't have a pre-season, obviously, because of when he left Newcastle in difficult situations. And it's a little bit like the same thing with Visser at Newcastle. He didn't have a pre-season, but you see now how he started the season. You never underestimate what it's like if you haven't had that. And for him, right now, he'll just feel so good when he sees those goals going in. Because there's no doubt at all. Do you think there'll be a bit of relief? Relief? Absolutely, mate. Because he'll be either questioned, am I, what's happened to me?

17:31It's like, you feel like you've been space jammed. Someone's took your talent. What's happened to him? Why can't I do what I was doing when I was at Newcastle? And then all of a sudden, now we're just seeing a player that it just looks absolutely full of confidence, fantastic goals. And that's what we wanted to see because you do have those doubts. And I'm sure now this manager that's walking over behind me is thinking, I'm going to reap the rewards of this because Arna Slott never had that luxury. But for this manager, definitely he will. And he joins us now. Andoni Ereola, hello. Nice to see you.

18:00Congratulations on the victory. Just nice to get that first win. Yes, nice, nice. We needed, definitely needed this one. Also the way it has been, I think with a clean sheet and I think controlling the game quite well. I think we started really strong and then it was another kind of second half, not as good probably as the first one, but we didn't concede also clear chances, I think. We just spoke to Alexander Isak and talked through his goals. How important is he going to be for you going forward and how important is it that you've got him fit and playing his way into this season? He's a massive player for us.

18:37Probably my demands will not be about the goals. I know that he's fit, he's in good shape, he's going to produce the numbers. My fights with him are more about other stuff, about how to help the team in all the situations. But it's good that he has already played two games full and today also a very good amount of minutes, scoring the goals. So I'm very happy to have him, yes. Tell me a bit more about that, about the way that you want him to maybe get a bit more involved. I think today we were much, much better in our press, especially in the first half. So we were recovering very high and then we can contact with him in good positions.

19:14If we recover the ball lower, I think it's going to be more difficult to find him. He will have less spaces. So it's a matter of collective effort. So we can put our number nine in situations like he had today. And it worked perfectly for Alexander Isak there with his two goals. There was a moment as well, I think, with one of the goals when you're on the touchline, and I can see as soon as you win it, you're pointing to get that ball played as quickly as you can into his feet. And that's something that obviously you did at Bournemouth. How important is it that the players get to understand what you want?

19:43Yes, I think this is the part of the process. I think we want to risk in that when we recover the ball in that. Look forward, that's a good ball recovery. Yes, and it's the moment where you can find some spaces. Cody does very well, but there is spaces between the defenders and we can give our nine chances. Otherwise, if you wait, you play a safety pass, probably those spaces will not be there. Is that something you identified when preparing for Ipswich, obviously seeing that they sometimes do be a bit more expansive, or that would just be a feature of your play moving through as a team throughout the season?

20:17We want to be something in our DNA, something that we have in all the games. It's true that they are also very good doing this. We have to be very, very careful defensively because they're also very good in transitions. They've scored a lot of goals, first two goals of the season in very good transitions. So it was today who could get, I think, the press better, the ball recovery higher, so it can give better chances to the forwards. How much are you enjoying the centre-back partnership? Jeremy Jacquet looks a good player. 21 years of age and obviously Virgil he could learn a lot from, but that looks a really formidable partnership right now.

20:50Yes, obviously. I think for every centre-back to play next to Virgil, I think it's a masterclass. It's a lesson. Agreed. Yes, and in this case, Jeremy has been his first full game. Physically, the first two games, he couldn't finish them. He was tired. Today, there was a moment in the second half I was in doubt because I saw him a little bit. 89th minute, I think it was, when he made one little mistake. But I think he has to suffer, go through those periods. Today, he could finish the game well, and slowly, slowly, he will keep building the fitness. Yes, yes. And when you were preparing for today, your midfield balance, obviously you could have added Ryan Grabenberch in there, maybe to counteract it to its turnover of possession, but you went with a different balance today.

21:36What was the thoughts behind that? I think McAllister is a smart player. He understands very well the positioning. He played really well today. I was a little bit worried with the yellow card because he got, I think, too cheap yellow card. And he was paying well. you were like, okay, he's playing well, but he's in a yellow car. You could change him maybe before, but also even how we finished with Trey and Gravenberg, I think both finished well the game, and I think we have good options, depending on the opposition, depending on the legs. I think some will start, and a lot of the times having these options, another two will finish.

22:18And Milos at left-back, Arrajo at right-back, how were you impressed with them? Obviously, Milos had a part to play in that first goal, stepping in, winning the ball off Fatah. Yes, Milos has been, I think, he didn't have an easy match-up with Fatah, but has been very aggressive, putting pressure, and I've liked his game. And Ronald, the thinking was about, precisely because of Fatah, in swing and left-footed, they put a lot of balls, second post, they overload that side with late Divis pushing a lot. So those crosses, second post, I think Ronald could help us there in those situations. also set pieces for us could be important.

22:53And some moments we will need Jeremy Frimpone when we need to be more offensive. Some moments we will need Ronald. We will take the decision according to the game plan. And Andoni, we've seen a little of Bradley Barclay. Not enough to make a full impression, but you've got to see him in a competitive game rather than just in training. What did you make of him? I think he has got good minutes. I think he has got a very good pass. I think in a counter, a couple of situations where he was going against the keeper, we haven't found him. We have to learn also, this kind of movement, because he will be there threatening him behind all the time.

23:27But I think he has been confident on the ball like always, and it's good to have him already going. He hadn't played any really competitive minutes since the World Cup, so we had to be a little bit more careful. But I think he has been very good. Liverpool fans are being super excited about hopefully seeing him on Wednesday night as a sub or maybe starting against Atletico Madrid. You've obviously heard about amazing Liverpool Champions League nights. How much are you looking forward to that one on Wednesday? Definitely a big game. Big game first. Premier League, Champions League game for me as a coach.

24:01Anfield under the lights. I always love to play at night and I think everyone is excited. Me the first. And nice to go into it with a victory in the Premier League. And Donnie, thank you so much for coming to join us. Thank you. Congratulations on the win. Thank you. Thank you, Andonnie. Well done. Jamie, on the comments that he made about the performances, what he wants from that team, it's what he said to us beforehand and afterwards, he's getting closer to seeing what he wants from his team on the pitch. Are you seeing that as well? Yeah, absolutely. I witnessed what a great coach he was at Bournemouth and the amount of improvement he would make on individuals and his style of play.

24:39He's not the sort of manager that you're going to necessarily see playing clever patterns in his own box. He just doesn't see the risk. He would rather see the ball get forward as quickly as it can and get it to the players that can make a difference. He's not going to be that coach. And actually, I prefer that. The risk of reward is just, for me at times, coaches don't show themselves how good they are by how they play out from the back. The important thing is when you get it in the final third and you make things happen, and that's what he will want to improve. I thought you asked a great question about Alexander Isak, about how do we get that next level?

25:09because when you have his forwards, if you think about that Bournemouth side, and obviously you have to compare in two different sides, but he'll probably look at these players. He will want Alexander Isak, when he hasn't got the ball, to press, to work hard. He'll be taking those moments, the 2-0, but he also wants when they haven't got the ball. He'll want the same from Alexander Wirtz. If you look to Alex Scott as an example in that midfield at Bournemouth and how hard he works to win the ball back. And that's what he will be demanding from his players. The difficulty will come with Champions League football, Premier League football each week and how he can utilise that squad and not putting too much stress and demands on the players.