Liverpool fans should be asking questions after Graham Potter's Alexander Isak admission - opinion
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has reported for international duty with Sweden in the hope of kickstarting his spluttering season.Isak has failed to hit the ground running following a £120m move from Newcastle United, leading to concerns that the Reds may have made an expensive mistake.Fellow big-money signing Florian Wirtz is also struggling to make his mark, with Liverpool‘s summer business starting to look concerningly like a series of poor decisions.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Isak‘s disappointing start has recently been compounded by a groin injury, which has seen him miss each of Liverpool’s last four fixtures.The Swede was at least back in the matchday squad for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City, but did not emerge from the bench despite a turgid Liverpool display.Given his recent return from injury, perhaps it made sense for Arne Slot not to risk his No.
However, new Sweden boss Graham Potter has now made a fitness admission on Isak which makes Slot’s decision look all the more baffling.Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty ImagesAlexander Isak has no fitness issuesIsak’s somewhat chequered injury history was perhaps the biggest red flag for Liverpool spending such a huge amount of money on him this summer.Only eight games into his career at Anfield, and Isak’s fitness has already come into question. He is doing well, has no problems,” the Englishman said via Fotboll Skanlen.While that is blatantly good news for Liverpool, it should also make fans question why Slot did not turn to Isak last Sunday.Hugo Ekitike was non-existent against Man City, and it was clear that the Reds needed something different up front.
After Potter’s latest update, Liverpool fans would be justified in feeling the same.Isak has to improve after international breakHad Liverpool been playing a game of lesser importance on Sunday, Slot’s decision to protect Isak would have been much more understandable.It is also possible that the Liverpool head coach made his call based on the game state. Liverpool fans have given him an easy ride so far, but he must begin to deliver once the festive period begins.The big worry will be that Potter and Sweden overuse Isak and hand him another fitness issue before his return to Merseyside.