Sweden have provided a new fitness update on Alexander Isak as a likely Liverpool debut approaches fast for the striker.
Isak will hope to be in a position to play some part for the Reds immediately after the current international break, when a trip to newly-promoted Burnley in the Premier League is followed by their Champions League opener at home to Atletico Madrid and Merseyside derby clash with Everton at Anfield.
However, the 25-year-old is currently short on fitness, having yet to play this season and been training separately from the Newcastle first team as he effectively went on strike in a bid to force a switch to Merseyside, which, after a long and bitter saga, was eventually concluded in a British-record deal on Deadline Day worth £125million.
Isak - who did not play at all during pre-season either - was still called up by Sweden despite his lack of action at club level, though head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson stressed that he would be careful in managing the player’s return after talks with Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot and between the respective team physios.
Isak was subsequently named in the matchday squad for Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in Ljubljana, though remained an unused substitute in a lively 2-2 draw at Stozice Stadium in which former Newcastle team-mate Anthony Elanga started in attack alongside Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and scored the opening goal of the game.
“He [Isak] had only done three training sessions with the team,” Tomasson explained to Viaplay after the game.
“No pre-season with the team and of course no playing time. The risk is probably a bit too great to use him today.”
Sweden now quickly move on to Pristina, where they face Kosovo in their second Group B fixture at Fadil Vokrri Stadium on Monday evening.
Tomasson is hopeful that Isak will be able to feature in that match, potentially as an impact substitute.
“Hopefully, hopefully. As a game-changer,” added the former Blackburn boss.
