Liverpool double boost as win eases Iraola and Gakpo after £80m bid

Liverpool secured their first win of the season on Friday at Portman Road, a 2‑0 triumph over Ipswich Town that gave manager Andoni Iraola much‑needed breathing space after a difficult start. Alexander Isak struck twice within the opening nine minutes, taking his tally to three goals in as many games.

Early season struggles give way to optimism

Comments from Sport writer Harry Brent, Senior Sports Writer, published on Sep 7, highlighted the Reds’ progress. The Reds began the campaign with two draws, collecting a point at Newcastle on opening day before a frustrating stalemate against Nottingham Forest at Anfield. In those games they conceded four goals, underscoring defensive frailties that have haunted Andoni Iraola’s early tenure.

Transfer window and sporting director search

Friday’s trip to Portman Road, however, offered the clearest sign that Liverpool are beginning to find their feet under the new manager. View 3 Images capture the celebration, with Image: Getty Images showing Isak’s strike. The 2‑0 win, powered by Alexander Isak’s brace, not only delivered three points but also lifted spirits ahead of a Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday and a Merseyside derby with Fulham on Saturday. LIVERPOOL fans sang loudly after the second goal.

Liverpool have begun searching for a new sporting director after Richard Hughes officially stepped down over the weekend. Hughes, who arrived from Bournemouth in 2024, oversaw a £450million spending spree that saw the club break the British transfer record twice, signing Florian Wirtz for £116m and Alexander Isak for £125m.

Liverpool fears losing its defensive star before Manchester City clash

Julian Ward, Liverpool’s technical director, is among the leading candidates for the vacant role. The former Manchester City scout joined the club in 2012, rose to assistant sporting director in 2020 and succeeded Michael Edwards as sporting director in 2022, overseeing arrivals such as Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, as well as the £75m signing of Darwin Nunez.

Assistant sporting director David Woodfine and FSG director of football development Pedro Marques are also understood to be in the frame, while the club has not ruled out an external appointment. OUR analysis suggests the sporting director vacancy could shape next season’s recruitment.

Cody Gakpo, who attracted an £80m bid from Manchester City that Liverpool rejected, now appears set for a fresh role after Bradley Barcola’s £123m arrival pushed him down the pecking order. Gakpo has responded by scoring once and providing three assists in his opening three games, prompting former Liverpool star Jason McAteer to stress that the Dutch forward still has a prominent part to play.

“It’s been framed as Gakpo needing to find a way back, but I wouldn’t say it’s like that at all,” McAteer told TEAMtalk. “He’s had a fantastic start to the season… there is a role for him at Anfield this season, make no mistake.”