Cody Gakpo Shines in Liverpool's 2-0 Victory

Cody Gakpo walked off into the Suffolk night with the kind of grin that answers transfer rumours better than any press release. For 90 minutes he ran the game, ran the channels and, crucially, ran down the noise about a summer exit from Anfield.

This was his performance. Liverpool’s 2-0 win may go down as Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League victory in charge, but Gakpo drew the blueprint.

Gakpo the creator, Isak the finisher

From the first whistle, Liverpool’s No. 18 played like a man intent on proving a point. Every touch between the lines had purpose. Every pass in the final third carried threat. The scoreboard, though, belonged to Isak.

The Sweden international is in a ruthless mood. He has already matched his entire Premier League goal tally from last season in just three games of this one, and he needed only nine minutes here to underline that transformation. Two chances. Two finishes. Both laid on a plate by Gakpo.

That blistering spell – “nine minutes of madness” for the home defence – did more than settle the contest. It pushed Isak into rare company, matching a scoring feat last achieved by Maxi Rodriguez over a decade ago in Liverpool colours. Predatory movement, ice-cold composure, and a creator who kept picking the lock.

Gakpo, though, wasn’t interested in making it about himself. Speaking to Sky Sports, he cut a satisfied but grounded figure.

“I think it was a great game today,” he said. “Obviously some things we have to improve still but a much-needed win for us, and I'm really glad that we got the three points.”

The understanding with Isak is growing by the week, and Gakpo knows it.

“Yeah, we will see. We always train together, and always try to get to know each other better. Hopefully we can assist each other many times. He owes me a few assists now!” he laughed.

Iraola off the mark

For Iraola, this felt important. The new manager arrived with big ideas and high expectations, but back-to-back 2-2 draws had left a question hanging over his side’s ability to finish the job. They had led, they had played well in spells, but they hadn’t killed games.

Here, in Suffolk, they did. No late wobble. No chaotic finale. Just a controlled, professional away performance built on early incision and defensive authority.

The victory spared Iraola an unwanted place in the club’s modern history. Another failure to win would have seen him become the first Liverpool manager since Brendan Rodgers to go without a victory in his opening three Premier League matches. Instead, he walks away with three points and a clearer sense of what this team can be when its key attackers click.

Van Dijk’s verdict: “Cody was outstanding”

At the back, Virgil van Dijk saw the whole thing unfold with a captain’s eye. He liked what he saw.

“I think we were a little bit more direct in the beginning, which is what we wanted to put the danger in their half and create a bit of chaos,” the Dutch defender explained. “Great goals. Cody was outstanding. Great win, and on to the next.”

That “chaos” came largely from Gakpo’s willingness to turn and drive, to play forward early, to commit defenders. His movement dragged markers out of position, his passing punished them for following. The goals were the obvious highlights, but the pattern of the game belonged to him.

Van Dijk knows exactly why the club fought to keep him when interest surfaced during the window.

“Massive,” he said of Gakpo staying. “I said it before the transfer window had closed, he's important for us, and he will be important this season.”

On this evidence, “important” might be underselling it. As the season stretches out and the fixtures pile up, Iraola will lean heavily on players who can decide games in moments. Gakpo and Isak just offered a sharp reminder that, together, they can do it in nine.