ReactionAndoni Iraola press conference: Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool, Isak, Gakpo, Barcola debut and more

Two clinical finishes by Alexander Isak inside the opening nine minutes decided Friday night's Premier League game at Portman Road in the visitors' favour.

Bradley Barcola made his Liverpool debut as a second-half substitute, while Cody Gakpo continued his rich vein of early season form with another two assists on an evening of positives for Iraola.

Read every word from the head coach's post-match press conference below.

On Liverpool's 'professional performance'...

Yes, very pleased with the win, obviously. 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. In the second half also, I think in a different way. We controlled the game, we defended well, but we didn't have this threat offensively, probably. But overall, I think it's a game to finish quite pleased [about].

On Isak 'looking like the player Liverpool were so keen to sign'…

Yes, with Alex, if he's fit, if he's available, if he's in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers. 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.

• Reaction: Isak on Ipswich win, quickfire double and Gakpo connection

On Gakpo's impact on the game…

I have no doubt with Cody. He has been very good all the pre-season, has started very well this season, producing numbers. Today again, after the two assists, he finishes [the game at] No.9 to help us close the game. I think it's good to have Cody because he can play in the three positions up top and to have him in this place for this beginning of the season is good.

On whether Gakpo's attitude indicates how strong his mentality is…

Cody knows how much we value him, I think there is no doubt. I rate him very highly. I will demand from him, obviously, because there is also a strong competition for minutes because we have good players in those positions and it's a matter of pushing each other. With Bradley, with Rio [Ngumoha], with Victor [Munoz], it's a matter that sometimes they will start, sometimes they come from the bench, sometimes they will not play. But this competition, I think is going to be good for all of them.

On his first impressions of Barcola…

I think Bradley hadn't played a single minute since the World Cup so we needed to be careful. I think he is training well, in a good place, and I think that he has helped us. Probably, we haven't found him in a couple of situations where I think he was going against the 'keeper, but we haven't really seen his movements.

And also he has had a very good counter, very good passing side that I think Cody finished, but we didn't score. But he was always a threat, you know? When he carries the ball, I think you can feel this threat and I'm happy because I think 30 minutes is going to be good for his fitness, for his build-up, and we will continue because now we play a lot of games, so he will have a chance to play more.

On whether fans will need to be patient with Barcola due to his lack of game time recently…

I think it's normal, he hasn't played any pre-season minutes. I think he's still in a good place. I don't think he will need something like a very special build-up, but we have to be aware that he hasn't been playing in a while and the demands of the games are very different from training, so we have got to consider this.

On whether he feels relieved to have got his first victory after it took him 10 Premier League games to win in his previous role at AFC Bournemouth…

Definitely. That couldn't happen today because I think two points also don't reflect our two first games, but it was the points we had. So, definitely we couldn't lose any more today and I'm happy because I believe we controlled quite well the game.

• Read our match report from Portman Road