The Swedish press made for encouraging reading for Liverpool fans on Saturday morning after Alexander Isak took a big step towards full fitness.
Isak’s lack of a pre-season is well documented as the striker was forced to train on his own as he waited to seal a British record £125million - potentially rising to £130million - transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool.
While the striker has featured in the Reds’ last six games across all competitions, he is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for his new club.
Isak lasted 74 minutes as he claimed an assist for Cody Gakpo in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea before the international break as head coach Arne Slot continues to ease in the big-money summer signing.
However, in a big boost for the reigning Premier League champions, Isak played the full 90 minutes of Sweden’s World Cup qualification loss to Switzerland on Friday evening.
The result was ultimately a blow to the 26-year-old’s hopes of representing his nation at next summer’s tournament, but the were encouraging signs with regard to his overall performance and fitness levels.
On another day, Isak would have scored and claimed an assist against the Swiss as he hit the post from close range and then cut a frustrated figure as Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall somehow failed to convert his cross.
The Swedish media were quite positive about Isak’s showing with Expressen writing: Isak was “quick in the flesh and in the head”, though they noted that the No9 was visibly tired later on in the game.
Fotboll Skanlen, meanwhile, noted that Isak “missed a great chance when the ball hit the post. Nice run when he got free and unselfishly passed to Bergvall and should have received an assist.”
