Sweden boss makes Alexander Isak fitness admission before Liverpool debut - 'Extremely difficult'

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Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has insisted that playing Alexander Isak for more than around 20 minutes against Kosovo on Monday would have been a major risk for the Liverpool striker.

Isak was making his return to competitive action after 106 days following an injury and then a strike this summer as he successfully forced through a move to Anfield.

"This was the maximum number of minutes I could give him," Tomasson told Viaplay post-match, explaining the decision to keep Isak on the bench until the 72nd minute.

Alexander Isak warms up before Kosovo vs Sweden.

Liverpool, like Sweden, will take a safety-first approach — not least because Hugo Ekitike has started so well since his own $106 million (£79 million) move.

It is a position that I like to be in, and I want to keep it."

Liverpool.com says: Arne Slot will be careful with Isak and it will help that Ekitike has started so well at Anfield

The Frenchman looks ready-made to play for Liverpool already, so Isak can be eased into the starting XI over a number of weeks