Liverpool striker Alexander Isak continued his goal-scoring form in action for Sweden but there may be concern over his fitness upon returning to Anfield
Alexander Isak was on target for Sweden in their win over Romania on Friday
Alexander Isak was on target for Sweden in their win over Romania on Friday (Image: (Photo by Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP via Getty Images))
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Alexander Isak grabbed his fifth goal of the season in action for Sweden on Friday but Graham Potter has caused some concern for Liverpool with an admission over his minutes. The striker endured an injury-plagued debut campaign at Anfield but has looked much sharper over the last few weeks having had a full pre-season.
Liverpool have made an unbeaten start to the 2026/27 campaign with Isak's goals leading to both of their away wins. He has followed up that by scoring for Sweden in the first half of their Nations League clash against Romania.
Their opponents equalised but Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres grabbed the goal that ultimately turned out to be winner just before the interval. He came off with 15 minutes to play but Isak completed the full game, the fourth time he has done so this season.
Sweden have three more games in the next nine days and Potter has claimed that while Isak won't play every minute, he could be named in the starting XI for all of them.
"It's not about rotating for the sake of rotating, as we want to win the games and try to play with our strongest team in every game," Potter said ahead of Friday's match.
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"Alex has played a lot of games lately, is in a good place and as I know him he wants to start games, but we need to see how everyone is, how they react and recover. Can Isak start every game? Potentially yes. But there's no chance (he will) play all the minutes."
The 27-year-old has already matched his total goal tally for the Reds from the 2025/26 season and is rapidly approaching the same number of starts.
Further signs of a revitalised Isak came as he produced a composed first-time finish in the 20th minute against Romania. Much like his opener against Ipswich, the goalkeeper managed to get a hand on the strike, but had no answer to the speed and power in which Isak took his effort.
With a winning start to the international break secured, Sweden now have three further fixtures to navigate before Isak returns to Anfield.
Alexander Isak in action for Sweden
Alexander Isak could start four matches in just 10 days for Sweden
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Poland are the next side to visit Scandinavia on September 28, before Isak and his teammates travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on October 2, followed by the away fixture in Romania on October 5.
Having struggled through an injury-hit debut campaign on Merseyside, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will no doubt be hoping to see Isak handed a breather at some stage over the coming fortnight — though it appears that wish may go unfulfilled.
Liverpool play six times across three competitions in October with Isak maybe forced to start all of them due to Hugo Ekitike's injury.
Cody Gakpo can play centrally, though, with Rio Ngumoha, Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz as Iraola's options for the two winger roles.