Alexander Isak has discussed his injury concerns while on international duty with Sweden, as the Liverpool star withdraws from international duty early.
Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC
Alexander Isak has discussed his injury issue on international duty(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))
Liverpool star Alexander Isak downplayed an initial injury issue he picked up on international duty with Sweden before he withdrew from the squad early.
The 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes for his nation in a UEFA Nations League clash with Romania, as his opener helped the side towards a 2-1 victory. While he got through the match, Isak was later seen hobbling through the mixed zone with a bloodied foot, following a stamp earlier in the night that appeared to cause quite some discomfort.
That was quickly pointed out by the journalists in the mixed zone at the time, with the striker looking to ease any concerns raised about the potential injury he had picked up.
He told Sportbladet: "You can see it," referring to the blood on his sock from the challenge.
"It was a heavy stamp. Those of you who have played might know that it takes a few minutes for the pain to subside, but it was okay."
Despite that claim, Isak's eventual withdrawal from the Sweden squad has still raised some concerns, as Liverpool waits to see the extent of the issue.
The Reds revealed that the forward will be assessed by club doctors and the medical team over the coming days when he returns to the AXA Training Center, at which point there will be some clarity on the situation.
Sweden's forward #09 Alexander Isak celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League Group B4 football match between Sweden and Romania
Alexander Isak has left the Sweden camp early(Image: (Photo by Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP via Getty Images))
Sweden boss Graham Potter has since confirmed the injury to be a thigh issue, which will rule him out of the next few matches for his nation, but could see him back in action for Liverpool soon enough.
Andoni Iraola will certainly hope that the description of a "minor injury" in Sweden's statement about his early exit from the international camp is just that, while the player's own verdict of it being fine may well reinforce the belief that he won't be out for long, if at all, for the team.
Isak will miss Sweden's games against Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania before the end of the international break, while he will aim to be fit in time for Liverpool's clash with Manchester City in two weeks.
The goalscorer has been in fine form so far this season, with four goals in five Premier League appearances, helping the team to an unbeaten start to the campaign.
It underlines how important it is for the Reds to have him fit and firing in time for the clash with Man City, who will have their own difference-maker up front in the form of Erling Haaland.
If Isak isn't available, Iraola may have to turn to other unorthodox options. Lewis Koumas is one of them, having shown some relentless pressing in his time up front so far this season, while Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa could also feature there.
It remains to be seen whether that will be necessary, with two weeks still to go before the clash and time on Isak's side to get ready for the match.