Cody Gakpo Shines in Liverpool's Victory Over Isak's Goals
Cody Gakpo walked off into the Suffolk night with his future at Liverpool looking a lot clearer than it did a few weeks ago.
On a tense Friday evening, with whispers of a summer exit still hanging in the air, the Dutch forward didn’t just answer the speculation – he dismantled it. Two goals for Alexander Isak, both laid on a plate by Gakpo, powered Liverpool to a controlled 2-0 win and handed Andoni Iraola his first Premier League victory in charge of the club.
Gakpo the creator, Isak the finisher
From the first whistle, Gakpo operated like the conductor of Iraola’s attack. He drifted into pockets, dragged defenders around, and kept finding Isak in exactly the kind of spaces a striker in form craves.
The payoff came in a blistering spell. Isak struck twice in nine ruthless minutes, both finishes the product of Gakpo’s sharp movement and vision. It was a burst that Liverpool haven’t seen the like of for over a decade, Isak matching a scoring feat last achieved by Maxi Rodriguez.
This wasn’t just another brace. The Sweden international has now equalled his entire Premier League goal tally from last season – and he’s done it in only three games of this campaign. Right now, he looks unstoppable. And Gakpo is the one feeding the fire.
After the game, Gakpo spoke with the relaxed confidence of a man who knows his importance to this side, and to his strike partner.
“Yeah, we will see,” he said when asked about his growing connection with Isak. “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 smiled as he said it, but the message was clear: this is a partnership that’s only just getting started.
Iraola’s first win, and a statement in Suffolk
For Iraola, this night carried extra weight. Two 2-2 draws to open his reign had raised uncomfortable questions about Liverpool’s ability to close out games. Control had been missing. So had calm.
Both returned here.
The performance in Suffolk was professional, measured, and far more ruthless in the decisive moments. The 2-0 scoreline reflected a side that understood when to accelerate and when to suffocate the contest.
“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.”
The victory also spared Iraola an unwanted piece of history. He avoided becoming the first Liverpool manager since Brendan Rodgers to fail to win any of his first three Premier League games in charge. That statistic will not define his tenure now. This performance might.
Van Dijk’s verdict: “Cody was outstanding”
Inside the camp, there’s no doubt about Gakpo’s status. Virgil van Dijk, who has seen enough elite forwards to recognise one, was quick to underline just how central his compatriot is to Iraola’s plans.
“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.”
Van Dijk didn’t stop there. With clubs circling during the transfer window, he was adamant that keeping Gakpo at Anfield was non-negotiable.
“Massive,” he said. “I said it before the transfer window had closed, he's important for us, and he will be important this season.”
Those words now feel less like reassurance and more like a warning to the rest of the league. Gakpo isn’t going anywhere. Not if Liverpool have their say.
A new axis for Liverpool
The storyline before kick-off centred on doubt: Iraola still chasing a first win, Gakpo’s future uncertain, questions about whether this side could truly click in the final third.
Ninety minutes later, the narrative had shifted.
Gakpo dictated. Isak delivered. Liverpool’s attack looked coherent and dangerous, built around a creator who sees passes early and a striker currently finishing almost everything that comes his way.
If this is what their understanding looks like in early September, what does it become when the season really starts to bite?
