_“These kind of injuries, today it’s great that players can recover from them. But I look at that injury and I think back to my own – you’ve always got a little bit of a weakness in there. No matter how it’s been rebuilt or how it’s been repaired, there’s still a little bit of doubt over something that could aggravate it again._
_“It’s: ‘Do I accelerate? Do I pull up quickly? Do I tackle? Do I change direction with my runs?’ All these things are going to come into a player’s head at some stage, and the thing with Isak is that his main asset was his pace. That’s what he’s got to get back.”_
**Liverpool must handle Alexander Isak with care**
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Isak’s withdrawal from international duty with Sweden is far from ideal, with manager [Graham Potter](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alexander-isak-injury-clarified-graham-34678767) explaining the striker’s situation to reporters:
_“He’s got a small problem with his thigh. It’s not a big one but because of the amount of games we’ve got in a small space of time, he won’t be able to make those. Not a big one but it’s frustrating for him and obviously for us. It is what it is but we move forward with the players we have._
_“It was during the game. Like anything, you sometimes get bumps and bruises in the game, you might think it’s a bit of a dead leg or something. But actually as the 24 hours, 48 hours after the game, not quite what you think.”_
Isak’s setback has put an element of doubt into his involvement against Manchester City at Anfield on October 11th, in a much-anticipated Premier League clash.
While the hope is that he will be fit, it is vital that Liverpool handle him carefully, ensuring they aren’t suddenly without their record signing for a long period.
That is easier said than done, however, due to Hugo Ekitike’s continued absence and the Reds’ lack of depth at centre forward, and Andoni Iraola has a tough job on his hands juggling the issue.
Hopefully, Isak is fully fit for City, and he carries on his good form, but King’s comments are a worry, in terms of the Swede not quite ever getting his explosiveness back regularly.