Claim made on Alexander Isak fitness after £120m Liverpool man misses yet another match - opinion
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Alexander Isak has not featured for Liverpool since October after picking up a frustrating groin injury.Things have not gone the Swede’s way since his £120m move from Newcastle over the summer, with fitness worries playing a part in that.If Liverpool‘s disappointing start to the Premier League campaign was not enough, Isak has found things even harder going for Sweden.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Interestingly, having used him from the bench over the weekend, Potter did not bring Isak on at all.Burned by his problems since joining the club, Liverpool supporters may have been worried how this could affect their No.
Ahead of Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest, an update has been issued.Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty ImagesNo new fitness issues for Alexander IsakIt is understandable why Liverpool supporters may have been worried by Potter’s decision in midweek.However, it has since been revealed that Isak was at risk of suspension for Sweden, which would have ruled him out of their upcoming World Cup qualifying play-off.READ MORE: How Liverpool are feeling about Ibrahima Konate’s contract extension after new talks this week Who will win Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest on Saturday? Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images The Daily Mail have now reiterated that Isak’s absence was not fitness related, and have quashed any suggestion that the 26-year-old has suffered any kind of setback.There are said to be no fresh concerns over Isak, who should be fresh to play having only featured for 28 minutes during the international break.The Swede was reportedly expected to join up with the Liverpool squad for training on Thursday.For his part, Arne Slot is claimed to have been pleased with Potter’s decision not to risk his record signing ahead of a busy Liverpool fixture list.Will Isak start against Nottingham Forest?
With the last international break of the calendar year now out of the way, Liverpool fans should see the best of Isak.The biggest factor in that will obviously be keeping him fit, and although his latest absence was not injury related, Slot may be wary of playing him on Saturday nevertheless.Isak has barely played half an hour of football in the last month and throwing him straight back in could be counterproductive.On the other hand, Liverpool need Isak to start firing as soon as possible, and a home game against a relegation-threatened side should be the perfect time to kick that off.Ultimately, the decision will lie with Slot. But regardless of how much game time he gets this weekend, Isak is back and finally ready to contribute for Liverpool.