Sweden boss drops fresh Alexander Isak fitness hint

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.

Image Credits: Imago Images

Alexander Isak rejoined his Sweden teammates for the first time since May after his controversial strike at Newcastle, but fitness concerns cast serious doubt over his potential Liverpool debut against Burnley next weekend.

The £125 million British record signing linked up with Sweden’s squad during the international break, marking his return to collective training after months of isolation following his refusal to participate in Newcastle’s activities.

Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson revealed that Isak had only completed three training sessions with the team before their 2-2 draw with Slovenia on Friday, where he remained an unused substitute.

“He had only done three training sessions with the team.

He had no preseason with the team and of course no playing time.

The risk was probably a bit too great to use him today,” Tomasson explained after the Slovenia match.

Isak’s physical condition remains a major concern following his extended absence from competitive football.

The striker went on strike at Newcastle in August, refusing to train with the first team or make himself available for matches while pushing for his Liverpool move.

He missed Newcastle’s entire preseason, including their Asian tour, and was absent for the club’s opening Premier League fixtures

But now Tomasson has seemed to suggest that Isak may have a part to play off the bench against Kosovo this evening.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Swedish boss suggested that the new Liverpool man could be involved as a “game-changer” off the bench if necessary:

“The last game, I kept him on the bench for 90 minutes long,” Tomasson began.

“A bit for the result.

If we were 1-1 then he would definitely have played minutes, but we were leading.”

“We shouldn’t forgot that Alex had only had three training [sessions] but now has had five training [sessions].”

“He hasn’t had a long pre-season so we are thinking about the short term and also the long term.

But he can definitely be a game-changer.”

He added that the Sweden national team has been in dialogue with Liverpool’s medical team, but ultimately they decide while he’s on national team duty:

“We always have a very good communication with the clubs.

Our physio has talked to their physio.”

“Now that he’s here with us, we’re the ones who decide,” said Dahl Tomasson.

Read More: German media react to Florian Wirtz performance vs Northern Ireland

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone