Photo by Claudio BRESCIANI / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Claudio BRESCIANI / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP via Getty Images
Alexander Isak continued his fine goalscoring start to the season by finding the net once again during Sweden’s 2-1 victory against Romania on Friday.
The £125m striker has begun the campaign in fine fashion for Liverpool, scoring four goals in five Premier League appearances so far. After his nightmare debut year at Anfield, Isak is finally showing himself again.
The one worry for Liverpool supporters will be that the 27-year-old goes down with injury, just as he did last term. In that respect, the current three-week international break presents a bit of a concern. And although he played the full 90 minutes for Sweden on Friday, Isak was seen limping after being on the end of a strong challenge during the game. Thankfully, he confirmed after the match that it was simply a harsh contact and that there was no lasting damage.
Isak picks up a bloody toe during Sweden win
Liverpool fans will have their hearts in their mouths any time Isak goes down with any kind of knock on the pitch. They don’t have a natural replacement for him until Hugo Ekitike returns in 2027, and while he is in this kind of form Isak is as good as any striker on the planet.
It will be a relief, therefore, to hear the No. 9 confirm his fitness while speaking to the Swedish press post-game. Walking out in flip-flops and white socks, Isak sported a red blood stain on his toe, but happily announced that it was nothing to worry about.
“You can see it,” the Liverpool man told Sportbladet – who report that he ‘limped and grumbled badly for a good while’ after the tackle – while pointing towards his toe.
“It was a real punch. Those of you who have played may know that it [the pain] takes a few minutes before it releases, but it was okay.”
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp already shared what he thought of Man City’s titles being awarded to Liverpool
Graham Potter hails Isak’s form
Liverpool fans will not be the only ones to be relieved that Isak is fine. Sweden manager Graham Potter could do with his star man to build on what was an encouraging World Cup.
After seeing him score inside 20 minutes, and go on to have another goal ruled out, the former Brighton boss hailed Isak’s form at full-time.
“Alex is in fantastic form, probably the best form he has been in for a very long time,” Potter said. “He plays regularly in the Premier League and is in a good physical phase.”
Having come through the first game of the international break intact and with a goal to his name, Isak will now look ahead to Monday, when Sweden host Poland.