Liverpool Secures First Premier League Win Amid Penalty Controversy
Liverpool finally have their first Premier League victory of the season on the board – but the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town has arrived with a sharp refereeing controversy attached.
Alexander Isak’s ruthless double inside the opening 10 minutes at Portman Road settled the contest early and gave Andoni Iraola his first three points as Reds boss. Liverpool pressed high, suffocated Ipswich and, for long spells in that first half, looked every bit the side Iraola has been trying to shape.
Yet the scoreline is not the only talking point.
‘Nailed-on’ penalty fury
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has condemned the officials for failing to award Liverpool what he called a clear penalty when Abdul Fatawu clattered into Cody Gakpo in the box before the break.
“This is a nailed-on penalty kick decision,” Hackett 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.”
The incident, a heavy late challenge on Gakpo after the ball had gone, left Liverpool players appealing and the away end furious, but neither the on-field referee nor VAR moved. The Reds didn’t need the goal in the end. The debate will linger anyway.
Iraola sees lessons learned
For Iraola, the performance – especially the opening 45 minutes – mattered as much as the result. Liverpool had conceded early in each of their previous two league games. This time they flew out of the blocks.
“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 press was coordinated, the tempo high, the front line ruthless. Ipswich barely had time to breathe before Isak had punished them twice.
Isak delivers, and wants more
The striker, whose fitness has often dictated Liverpool’s attacking ceiling, looked sharp and decisive. Two chances, two goals, and the contest was effectively done.
“With Alex, if he's fit, if he's available, if he's in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers,” Iraola 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 himself cut a satisfied but grounded figure after the final whistle.
“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.”
The goals are flowing for Isak, the structure is starting to look like Iraola’s, and Liverpool already feel more aggressive and front-footed. The only question now is whether the officiating noise fades away – or becomes a recurring theme in a season that has only just begun.
