Alexander Isak dismisses Liverpool claim as Sweden coach issues explanation

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Alexander Isak of Liverpool and Sweden(Image: TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)

Alexander Isak has dismissed suggestions Liverpool requested his minutes be limited while on international duty as he began efforts to regain match sharpness.

Isak made his first appearance since May when playing the final 18 minutes of Sweden's shock 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss in Kosovo on Monday night.

With the 25-year-old having failed to get off the bench for the 2-2 draw in Slovenia on Friday, Swedish media speculated Liverpool may have demanded the player be held back so not to threaten his fitness when he returns to Merseyside later this week following his £125million transfer from Newcastle United.

But when asked if this was the case, Isak said: "Not that I know of.

I'm with the national team now.

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"Clubs and national teams have contact but it's between them in such cases.

"(I played) 20 minutes and it felt okay."

Asked about his reluctance to use Isak during the international break, Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson revealed the decision was made jointly with the striker.

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“I gave him the maximum number of minutes," he said to Viaplay.

But we need him next month, the month after that and next year.”

Sweden's surprise defeat leaves them third out of four in Group B after the opening two games, already five points behind leaders Switzerland.

The top team automatically qualifies while the second-placed team goes into a play-off.

Elsewhere on Monday evening, new Liverpool vice-captain Andy Robertson skippered Scotland to an impressive 2-0 win against Belarus behind closed doors in Hungary.

Steve Clarke's side stand second behind Denmark on goal difference in Group C.

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And Giovanni Leoni failed to make the bench as Italy secured a remarkable 5-4 triumph against Israel to move up to second in Group I.