Graham Potter expressed concerns over Liverpool’s Alexander Isak’s fitness, confirming the striker is not ready to start the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Switzerland and will be managed carefully from the bench.
New Sweden manager Graham Potter has expressed concerns over the fitness of Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, confirming the player is not ready to start in their upcoming World Cup qualifier and needs careful management after recovering from a groin injury.
According to a report from Sport Witness, concern has been raised over the fitness of Liverpool forward Alexander Isak by new Sweden national team manager Graham Potter.
The 26-year-old striker, who joined the Premier League side on September 1st for a British record fee, has managed a goal and an assist from eight matches for the Reds but has not featured since picking up a groin injury on October 22nd in a Champions League win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Despite being called up for the November international break, Potter confirmed Isak’s readiness for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Switzerland on Saturday remains limited.
The national team boss was quoted in his pre-match press conference, stating bluntly when asked if the forward could start: “No. He’s not ready to start tomorrow [Saturday].”
The manager stressed the need for caution, particularly regarding the player’s capacity for sustained match action after more than three weeks on the sidelines. Potter emphasized that Isak needs to be introduced carefully, stating:
“He’s not ready to play two 90-minute matches in four days. So we have to be smart and use him in a good way.”
Potter indicated that the safest approach would be to utilize the Liverpool summer signing off the bench, suggesting: “I don’t want to talk too much about details or the starting XI.
I think the best thing for Alex is to help us tomorrow [Saturday] from the bench.” This cautious approach aims to prevent the risk of a potential setback.