Liverpool striker Alexander Isakplaceholder image
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak | Getty Images
Alexander Isak has scored just one Carabao Cup goal since leaving Newcastle United for £130million.
Graham Potter has revealed Alexander Isak remains unfit and will not complete two 90 minutes for Sweden during the international break.
Sweden’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup hang by a thread following defeats to Kosovo (x2) and Switzerland. A lot of the blame within the national press has been placed on Isak due to his recent fitness woes.
The 26-year-old downed tools all summer for Newcastle United as he forced through a move to Liverpool. As a consequence, Isak’s form has been way off the mark, with just one Carabao Cup goal to show from eight games since his £130million transfer.
Graham Potter on Alexander Isak fitness
In more bad news for Liverpool fans, Isak remains unfit following a groin injury. This gives Newcastle fans - who have hate-watched the striker all season - another reason to rejoice.
“He’s had a good week, he’s available, but we have to be smart with him because he’s been out for a while,” Potter told reporters. “He’s not ready to play two matches for 90 minutes. We have to wait and see until tomorrow.”
‘He’s frustrated’ - Graham Potter
Isak - like the rest of Sweden - has been left "frustrated" by their qualifying campaign.
“He’s like anybody in terms of the Swedish national team. They need to win games against Switzerland and Slovenia and hope other results go their way to snatch a play-off spot.
“He’s frustrated with the results we’ve had,” Potter added about Isak. “That’s clear as I’ve said. But all I’ve found here is a group of players that really want to do better, that are frustrated in terms of results-wise where they’re at. They’re just desperate to do well for their country and there’s a real feeling for that.”
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‘Doesn’t benefit anyone’ - Alexander Isak
Currently on international duty, Swedish media have pressed Isak on the Newcastle drama. He is preferring to move on - insisting that dragging up the saga does not benefit either party.
"It's nothing I want to dwell on now,” Isak said, as quoted by ESPN. “It doesn't benefit anyone, neither me nor Newcastle so let it be. I'm working hard to push myself and play my game. Things have been a bit tougher for us (Liverpool). I believe that as the team improves and things start to flow better, it will also go better for me.”
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