Premier League: Gakpo Assists Twice as Isak Scores Brace, Liverpool Beat Ipswich 2-0 for First Win of Season

At 19:45 Beijing time on August 29, the third round of the 2026-27 Premier League season got underway, with Liverpool defeating Ipswich 2-0 away from home to earn their first win of the season. Both of Liverpool's goals came within the opening 10 minutes, with Gakpo providing two excellent passes to help Isak complete a brace. In addition, one of Isak's goals was ruled out for offside, denying him a chance to complete a hat-trick; Barcola made his Liverpool debut.

In this match, Ipswich forward Philogene was absent due to injury, Japanese attacker Daizen Maeda led the starting lineup, and Emerson played as the lone striker. For Liverpool, Ekitike, Bradley, Gomez and Chiesa were all sidelined due to injuries, summer signing Barcola was on the bench, and Isak started as the lone striker.

In the 6th minute, Liverpool made a dream start. Gakpo played a through ball, and Isak fired a powerful shot from the right side of the penalty area. Ipswich goalkeeper Scherpen failed to hold the save and the ball went into the net. 1-0! It was Liverpool's first lead in a match during the 2026-27 season. Isak has scored in two consecutive Premier League matches.

In the 9th minute, Liverpool extended their lead. Gakpo delivered a through ball with the outside of his foot from the left side of midfield, and Isak fired a low shot into the near corner from the left side of the penalty area to complete his brace. 2-0! Isak has scored three goals in his last two league matches.

In the 10th minute, Mac Allister received a yellow card for a foul on Enciso. In the 11th minute, Enciso set up Fatawu, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area went over the crossbar. In the 19th minute, Palacios passed to Enciso, whose shot from the edge of the box was saved by Alisson. In the 20th minute, Mac Allister passed to Szoboszlai, whose powerful shot toward the bottom left corner was pushed wide by Scherpen. In the 23rd minute, Gakpo passed to Szoboszlai, whose effort inside the edge of the box was again stopped by Scherpen. In the 30th minute, Fatawu crossed from the right side of the attack, and Davis headed over the bar.

In the 31st minute, Mac Allister's shot from the edge of the penalty area went over the bar. In the 33rd minute, Wirtz crossed from the left side of the box, and Isak scored with a close-range finish, but the assistant referee indicated that Isak was offside and the goal was disallowed. In the 35th minute, Davis passed to Maeda, whose shot from the left side of the six-yard box was saved by Alisson. In the 40th minute, Wirtz passed to Szoboszlai, whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Alisson. In the 41st minute, Enciso was booked for not retreating far enough while defending a set piece. In the 42nd minute, Wirtz's shot inside the edge of the box was collected by Scherpen.

At halftime, Liverpool led Ipswich 2-0 away from home.

The second half began. In the 47th minute, Szoboszlai delivered a corner from the right, and Mac Allister's header was saved by Scherpen. In the 52nd minute, Jaquez was shown a yellow card for a foul on Emerson. In the 56th minute, Enciso passed to Fatawu, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area went wide of the left post. In the 57th minute, Kerkez was booked for a foul on Fatawu. In the 60th minute, Enciso's curling effort toward the far corner from the left side of the edge of the box was saved by Alisson.

In the 64th minute, Liverpool replaced Munoz with Barcola, who completed his first appearance for the Reds. In the 76th minute, Flemming's shot from the edge of the box was saved by Alisson. In the 77th minute, Barcola passed to Gakpo, whose shot inside the penalty area was blocked by a defender. In the 86th minute, Clark's shot from the edge of the box was blocked by a defender. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Wattara passed to McAteer, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved by Alisson.

In the end, Liverpool defeated Ipswich 2-0 away from home to secure their first win of the season.

Starting lineups and substitutes:

Ipswich (4-2-3-1): 37-Scherpen/26-O'Shea, 6-Diop, 24-Grieves, 3-Davis/23-Lukic, 25-Palacios (78' 42-Wattara)/7-Fatawu (79' 20-McAteer), 10-Enciso, 38-Daizen Maeda (66' 47-Clark)/19-Emerson (66' 9-Flemming)

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): 1-Alisson/6-Kerkez, 4-Van Dijk, 5-Jaquez, 33-Araujo/10-Mac Allister (84' 42-Nyoni), 8-Szoboszlai/18-Gakpo, 7-Wirtz (90' 67-Koumas), 23-Munoz (64' 29-Barcola)/9-Isak (64' 38-Gravenberch)

(Sohu Sports original, Gerrard)