Liverpool Secures Controversial 2-0 Victory Over Ipswich

Liverpool’s first league win of the season came with a sharp edge of controversy after former referees’ chief Keith Hackett claimed they were denied a “nailed-on” penalty at Portman Road.

Andoni Iraola’s side finally got up and running in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Friday night, Alexander Isak striking twice inside a blistering opening 10 minutes to bank their first three points of the campaign. The scoreline looked comfortable. The debate did not.

Nailed-on penalty flashpoint

Midway through the first half, with Liverpool already in control, Cody Gakpo drove into the Ipswich box and was wiped out by Abdul Fatawu. The winger arrived late, clattered into Gakpo, and play went on. No whistle. No VAR intervention.

From the stands it looked clumsy. To Hackett, the former PGMOL chief, it was far more clear-cut.

“This is a nailed-on penalty kick decision,” he told Football Insider. “The Ipswich player is so late with his foul challenge that I cannot believe that the referee has not pointed to the penalty mark.

“I understand that the PROref organisation want to see less interference by VAR. However, this non-award of a penalty kick by the referee meets the criteria for a clear and obvious error. VAR should have intervened.”

Liverpool didn’t need the decision to win the game. But in a season where every point will matter, moments like this will linger.

Iraola relieved – and encouraged

For Iraola, the performance – particularly before the break – mattered more than the argument over the spot-kick. His side, stung by conceding early in their opening fixtures, came out snarling.

“Yes, very pleased with the win, obviously,” he said. “We needed this win and as well with the performance – especially [in the] first half we have been a very good team. We put a lot of pressure to the opposition and I think we started really strong in the game.

“I think that we learned, probably, the lessons from the last two games where we conceded early goals and today we didn't want this to happen, and we were really strong in the first half.”

The response was ruthless. High press, quick combinations, relentless running. Ipswich struggled to breathe, let alone build.

At the heart of it, Isak finally looked like the striker Liverpool want him to be across an entire season.

Isak’s double underlines his importance

Two goals inside 10 minutes changed the mood around the club. The finishers were sharp, but Iraola made it clear his expectations for the Swede stretch far beyond the scoresheet.

“With Alex, if he's fit, if he's available, if he's in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers,” the Liverpool boss said. “My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably.

“It will be about other things, I will demand other things so we can play well and if we play well, we are in good positions, the goals will come. I think he has to contribute to the collective and when everyone helps, I think after the goals and the other stuff will come.”

Isak sounded just as focused on the bigger picture as his manager.

“Obviously we were waiting for the first win and we were talking about starting the game good, which we haven't done recently. That was perfect for us to get two quick goals,” he said.

“I think we're starting to get the way that we want to play and be offensive and attack the defence. I think we showed that today. We scored two and we could have scored more.

“It's still early. I think we still have a lot to learn and it's game by game at this point.”

Liverpool walk away from Portman Road with three points, two goals, and one major refereeing grievance. If this is the standard of their pressing and attacking play from here, the bigger question is not the penalty they didn’t get – it’s how far this team can go once they truly click.