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He was a monster vs Ipswich: Liverpool star just outshone Isak & Gakpo

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Published Sep 5, 2026, 7:10 AM GMT+1

Angus is an experienced football writer at Football FanCast, specialising in analytical reporting, opinion and feature writing, with particular expertise in Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

A journalist since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022, Angus has built extensive experience across the football media industry. Before joining Football FanCast, he led VAVEL's Brighton & Hove Albion department, developing experience in club-specific reporting and editorial leadership.

Angus joined Football FanCast through Snack Media's (now Valnet) academy and has since become one of the site's longest-serving writers, progressing into the Opinions and Features team. During his time with Football FanCast, he has produced thousands of articles across a broad range of Premier League clubs and stories.

His work combines analytical reporting, informed opinion and detailed feature writing, with a particular focus on understanding the factors behind performances, transfers and major developments rather than simply reporting the headline. His strongest areas of expertise are Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, although his extensive Premier League coverage has given him a broad understanding of the English top flight.

Angus brings readers experienced, research-led football analysis and considered opinion, using his years of covering the Premier League to provide context, assess players and transfers, and explain what the latest developments mean for clubs and their ambitions.

At Portman Road, during that early blitz, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak provided for Liverpool the kind of seamless attacking connection that has been lacking for a long time.

You have to question why Liverpool were willing to cash in on Gakpo, given their predicament in attack - and to Premier League rivals Manchester City at that.

Andoni Iraola was delighted. It wasn't a statement performance, but that early flurry eased the need for the kind of intensity that Liverpool have had to find - and have failed to do so - over the past year, desperately searching for a goal across so many second-halves.

Bradley Barcola's second-half introduction was exciting, but Gakpo and Isak showed that, right now, they are Liverpool's main men in attack.

Why Isak & Gakpo can be Liverpool's new star men

Richard Hughes has left his post as Liverpool's sporting director and is settling in at Al Hilal, and he may well have noted Gakpo's first-class performance against Ipswich, registering two fine assists for the resurgent Isak.

Liverpool are still a work in progress, but they have shown signs of growth this weekend, more fluent and full-throttle in the early stages. As Barcola grows into his skin after his £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool's frontline could shape into something fit to challenge for silverware.

After all, Isak bagged twice, and that could be a difference-maker for the Reds as the season deepens. With Gakpo supplying him (as he did last weekend as Liverpool drew against Brentford), there's every chance that Iraola could be a success, especially as he tightens in defence and loosens Liverpool's passing range.

Liverpool nearly sold Gakpo, but the Dutchman is proving exactly why he must remain as a centrepiece for Liverpool. Sure, he can be a bit one-dimensional at times, but he knows how to score a goal, and recent weeks have shown that he has creative skills in his locker that perhaps weren't effectively showcased last year.

The 2025/26 season is young, but Liverpool have the quality to challenge for the title - if not quite the depth - with Barcola and Victor Munoz providing the width and depth that Arne Slot lacked, resulting in the end of his tenure at Anfield.

Cody Gakpo's Premier League Record with Liverpool

Player

Apps

Goals

26/27	3	1 + 3
25/26	36	7 + 5
24/25	35	10 + 4
23/24	35	8 + 5
22/23	21	7 + 2

The attackers were on form, but at the other end of the field, another Liverpool mainstay showed that he's still the main man.

Liverpool star just outshone Gakpo & Isak

To think that Gakpo could have been sold for one of Ismaila Sarr or Yankuba Minteh. It would have been a significant downgrade for Liverpool's attack, but at least Liverpool still have Virgil van Dijk at the rear, keeping things ticking and organised.

Van Dijk is 35 years old, but against Ipswich, he put in a timeless performance, keeping a clean sheet and reminding the Premier League of his quality as one of the greatest of his generation.

With newbie Jeremy Jacquet beside him, Van Dijk was the calming presence needed to secure for Liverpool their first win of the campaign. He kept Zian Flemming quiet, also producing a fine ball-playing display and proving combative and crunching - when he needs to be - in defence.

Gakpo and Isak stole the headlines. They are the attackers; that's just the nature of the game. However, the skipper was imperious in defence, winning all four of his duels and each of his three tackles.

It wasn't just his defensive contribution, marshalling his troops and protecting Alisson's goal. Van Dijk also completed 17 passes into the final third, ever the deepest instrument of Liverpool's build-up play. In Iraola's system, this will be crucial throughout the year.

Van Dijk is 35 years old. This time next year, in all likelihood, he will be elsewhere. Perhaps Saudi Arabia or the MLS over the pond. But for now, he is still the beating heart of this club, and is something silver and shining is on the horizon, he will be the catalyst, driving his team forward.

Liverpool will face tougher tests ahead, but Iraola will be pleased with a mature display that maybe, just maybe, has planted the necessary seeds to grow this project into something which could bring success back to Anfield.

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