Graham Potter has admitted Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is not ready to start following his recent return from a groin injury
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak was an unused substitute against Manchester City
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Graham Potter has revealed that Alexander Isak will not start for Sweden against Switzerland on Saturday night following his recent return from injury. The Liverpool striker has been sidelined with a groin issue since being forced off at half-time in the Reds’ 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt last month.
The 26-year-old missed four matches before returning to Arne Slot’s matchday squad for Liverpool’s trip to Man City. However, he was left as an unused substitute as the Reds fell to a dismal 3-0 defeat.
Isak was named in the Sweden squad for the November international break prior to last weekend’s loss at the Etihad.
And while he has been passed fit to feature for his homeland in their latest World Cup qualifier, Potter has confirmed that he does not believe Isak is ready to start following his return from injury.
“He's not ready to play two 90-minute games in four days, so we have to be smart and use him well," Potter said at his pre-match press conference. “No, he is not ready to start.
“I don't want to talk too much about details or the starting eleven, but I think the best thing for Alex is to help us from the bench.
“He's had a good week. He's not ready for 90 minutes, but you'll have to wait and see tomorrow.”
Isak has endured a difficult start to his Liverpool career after joining the Reds in a British record £125m switch from Newcastle United on transfer deadline day.
The striker did not feature for the Magpies throughout pre-season or the opening weeks of the Premier League season as he essentially went on strike and trained alone in a bid to force through an exit.
Having taken his time to get up to speed as a result, the forward has scored only once from his first eight appearances since moving to Anfield.
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And following his recent groin injury, Slot called for patience with Isak ahead of the striker’s return to training.
“He will train with the team for the first time today after being three weeks out,” he said. “I know I said three weeks ago his pre-season ended, so now we have to see where he is.
“If you are three weeks only with the rehab that doesn’t bring him back to the levels he was three weeks ago. You cannot compare rehab with games of football or training with the team. So, again I have to say give him some time.”
Meanwhile, Slot later explained his decision to only name Isak on the bench against Man City as he admitted the striker was not ready to make a full return.
“For me, he is in the end stage of his rehab,” he told Sky Sports ahead of kick-off. “Had two training sessions with us.
“Yes, we have trained, but not with the intensity that would have been best for Alex. He is there if he needs to help us.”
With Isak seemingly set to be limited to a substitute role for Sweden against Switzerland, both club and country are continuing to tread carefully with the forward following his disjointed campaign to date.