Cody Gakpo Shines in Liverpool's Victory Against Isak's Goals

Cody Gakpo didn’t just answer the transfer rumours on Friday night. He silenced them.

On a cool evening in Suffolk, with questions still swirling about his future, the Dutch forward took control of Liverpool’s 2-0 win and turned it into his own statement performance. Every time Liverpool broke forward, Gakpo seemed to be at the heart of it, stitching moves together, drifting into space, dragging defenders where they didn’t want to go.

By the end, any talk of a summer exit from Anfield felt badly out of date.

Gakpo the creator, Isak the finisher

If Gakpo was the architect, Alexander Isak was the executioner.

The Sweden international is riding a wave. Having already matched his entire Premier League goal tally from last season in just three games, he arrived here in ruthless mood and left with another milestone to his name.

His two goals came in a devastating nine-minute burst, both laid on by Gakpo. Two chances, two finishes. Pure predator’s work. Runs on the shoulder, crisp movement, no hesitation. It was “nine minutes of madness” that dragged the game away from the hosts and into Liverpool’s hands.

That double also pushed Isak into rare company. Not since Maxi Rodriguez over a decade ago had a Liverpool player hit that particular scoring feat, underlining just how sharp the former Newcastle man has become in front of goal.

Gakpo, though, was the one pulling the strings. His vision in the final third, his willingness to release the ball early, his selflessness in key moments – it all underpinned a performance that looked tailor-made for Andoni Iraola’s system.

“I think it was a great game today,” Gakpo told Sky Sports afterwards. “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.”

He also spoke with a smile about his growing understanding with Isak. “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!”

On this evidence, that partnership could become one of the league’s most dangerous.

Iraola’s first win – and a warning shot

For Iraola, this was more than just three points. It was a small but significant turning point.

Two 2-2 draws to open his Premier League tenure had sparked an awkward question: could this Liverpool side see games out under their new manager? In Suffolk, the answer was calm, controlled and convincing.

Liverpool were more direct early on, more aggressive in their positioning, and far more ruthless when the chances came. Once Isak’s quickfire brace landed, they managed the game with the kind of professionalism their manager had been demanding.

The victory also spared Iraola an unwanted place in the club’s history books. He avoided becoming the first Liverpool manager since Brendan Rodgers to fail to win any of his first three Premier League matches.

Van Dijk’s verdict: “Cody was outstanding”

Virgil van Dijk, wearing the armband and marshalling things from the back, 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 captain said. “Great goals. Cody was outstanding. Great win, and on to the next.”

The defender didn’t just praise the tactical tweak. He underlined Gakpo’s importance to this project at a time when outside interest has been loud and persistent.

“Massive,” Van Dijk said when asked about keeping Gakpo at the club. “I said it before the transfer window had closed, he's important for us, and he will be important this season.”

On this night, that importance was impossible to miss. Gakpo dictated, Isak destroyed, and Iraola finally had his first win as Liverpool manager.

If this is the template, the real question now is how far this partnership – and this team – can push the rest of the league.