Swedish media react to Alexander Isak developments as ‘crazy shock’ bursts bubble
Alexander Isak was the headline maker after Sweden’s loss to Kosovo despite only playing a total of 18 minutes.
Liverpool signed Isak in a deadline-day swoop, parting with £125million to finally get their man from Newcastle United.
Isak will have to build up his fitness after he refused to play for Newcastle, and he may not start when Liverpool return to Premier League action against Burnley.
Arne Slot has a tough decision; he may decide that Hugo Ekitike is still the man to lead Liverpool’s line against the Clarets.
Alexander Isak slammed amid shock Sweden scenes
The way that Isak went about securing his move to Liverpool has been criticised, due to his downing tools for the Magpies.
The Swedish media had no sympathy for the 25-year-old after Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side lost 2-0 to Kosovo on Monday, and he featured for just the final 18 minutes.
Aftonbladet replayed quotes from Viaplay’s Erik Niva, who suggested that the Reds had demanded that Isak only play a small part
He said: “My impression is really that Liverpool had ordered a maximum of 20 minutes, certainly no more, but it is a speculation of mine, and I don’t know.”
Goteborgs-Posten were also critical of the team and the lack of Isak, saying: “When the bubble burst, it burst with a bang that echoes in the industry.
“The national team completely lost itself in Pristina, shock result, 2-0 to Kosovo, the nightmare of World Cup qualifying continues.
“No Alexander Isak now, either, one of the world’s most noticed players in recent weeks came in first with 18 minutes left, not until the second half, when a crazy offensive was justified from minute 46.”
| Stats | Isak |
| Shots | 4 |
| Touches in opposition box | 7 |
| Passes into final third | 2 |
| Pass accuracy | 8/10 (80%) |
Liverpool will be glad with Alexander Isak cameo
The last thing that the Reds would have wanted is Isak to play a significant amount of gametime in the international break.
Considering the lack of football that he has played in recent weeks, as a result of going on strike, there was an increased chance of injury.
- Isak missed Newcastle’s opening three Premier League matches
- Did not feature in Sweden’s 2-2 draw with Slovenia on 5 September
- Played 18 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Kosovo on 8 September
- Could debut for the Reds against Burnley on 14 September
There is every chance that he will be eased back into action slowly by Slot, despite the hefty price tag that the Reds spent on his services.
If they rush him back too quickly, he may get injured, which would be a disaster, after the L4 outfit pushed so hard for his signature this summer.
They will get him back to full match fitness, and only then will he be utilised fully as the leading weapon for Slot and Co.
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