Alexander Isak continued his impressive scoring form during Liverpool’s 2-0 triumph over Brighton on Sunday. This victory marked a significant milestone for Reds manager Andoni Iraola, who celebrated his first Premier League win at Anfield since his arrival from Bournemouth during the off-season. The Spaniard had previously secured victories in the Champions League and League Cup, but this result helps stabilize his side after their disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City. Stopping the visitors’ recent goal blitz after they arrived at Anfield as the league’s top scorers, but they put Brighton to the sword in composed fashion. Who fired wastefully over with the goal at his mercy, brighton should have taken an early lead when Diego Gomez’s pass caught out Virgil van Dijk and Gross crossed to Yasin Ayari. Rampant Reds: Liverpool took full advantage of that escape to open the scoring in the 17th minute. Cody Gakpo nearly doubled Liverpool’s lead moments later with a rising drive that Bart Verbruggen tipped over. Iraola opted for Bradley Barcola and Gakpo on the flanks despite Rio Ngumoha’s virtuoso performance in the midweek win against Villarreal. Dismissing another manager is far from a quick fix for a club that has fallen dramatically from grace since Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, but on this evidence.
The match turned in Liverpool’s favor during a rapid first-half surge. The deadlock was broken in the 17th minute when Ronald Araujo’s adventurous run culminated in a cross that Florian Wirtz converted, though the goal was officially credited as a Pascal Gross own goal following a heavy deflection. Shortly after, in the 21st minute, Isak secured the second goal by finishing a cross from Bradley Barcola, who had been set up by a long ball from goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Liverpool kept pushing and Araujo’s blast forced a superb save from Verbruggen just before half-time.
Isak has now scored in three consecutive league matches for the first time since January 2025. With six goals in his seven league appearances this season, the Swedish striker is proving his worth after a difficult debut campaign following his £125 million move from Newcastle. Liverpool’s win moves them into fourth place, trailing league leaders Manchester City by six points and sitting just a single point behind Brighton. The Sweden striker is finally beginning to repay his £125 million ($167 million) fee, after a turbulent debut season following his acrimonious move from Newcastle.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Manchester United’s season hit a new low with a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
The result has intensified speculation regarding manager Michael Carrick’s future at the club.
A bold tactical shift backfired as Carrick chose to bench captain Bruno Fernandes for the duration of the match.
The manager described the omission as a purely football-driven decision, though the move appeared to punish the playmaker following his criticism of the team’s tactics after their midweek 4-1 loss to Como.
Bournemouth’s victory was comprehensive, with goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier, and Evanilson mirroring the scoreline the Cherries have achieved at Old Trafford three times in the last four seasons. The defeat leaves United languishing in 16th place, hovering just one point above the relegation zone after an eight-game winless streak.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford turned hostile as traveling supporters taunted Carrick with chants suggesting he would be dismissed shortly. While the club struggles to recapture the standards set during the Alex Ferguson era, the situation highlights the deep-rooted challenges currently facing the Manchester giants, suggesting that a coaching change may not provide the immediate solution the board requires. Carrick was taunted with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from the Bournemouth fans.
