Sweden Call Raises Questions over Isak’s Fitness

Liverpool supporters hoping to see Alexander Isak back roaring through Premier League defences may need to stay patient. The Sweden striker has made headlines once more, called up for international duty despite still recovering from a groin problem that has kept him out for four matches. It is a reminder that elite football lives in the grey areas, where medical caution, national pride and club priorities collide like midfielders at a 50-50.

Isak picked up the injury during Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Frankfurt, and the wait for his return continues. He had yet to rejoin full team training ahead of Real Madrid’s visit, and Arne Slot offered a reality check. “With Alex, we have to wait and see. Definitely not starting on Sunday, but maybe he can be involved in the squad,” Slot explained. “But he is still not training with the team, so we have to wait and see.”

It is a pragmatic tone from the Liverpool boss, one familiar to anyone who has listened to him balance squad health with competitive demands. Yet on the international front, Sweden are prepared to push the envelope a little further.

Potter’s Gamble for Sweden’s World Cup Push

New Sweden coach Graham Potter included Isak in his 26-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland on 15 November and Slovenia on 18 November. The Swedish FA listed Isak as “selectable” while Potter emphasised conditional optimism. “As things stand right now,” he is available, the coach said, before adding, “Alex can hopefully play a bit this weekend and will be in Spain (for training camp) on Monday.”

It signals how highly Isak is valued in Sweden, where his ability to turn tight contests is viewed as a national asset. This is a player who can make a cagey 0-0 feel explosive with one swivel and finish. For Sweden, matches of this magnitude are not simply fixtures, they are building blocks toward the next World Cup, and Isak is central to that vision.

Liverpool’s Careful Approach

Liverpool are understandably cautious. Isak has only played 429 minutes since his record deadline day arrival, scoring once. He featured for the full 180 minutes across Sweden’s October fixtures, only to break down immediately upon his second start back at club level. For Liverpool, this is not merely frustration, it is a test of load management and strategy.

Hugo Ekitike has deputised and is likely to lead the line again when Liverpool travel to the Etihad for their clash with Man City. Isak’s involvement depends entirely on training clearance and medical sign off.

What Comes Next for Isak and Liverpool

For now, Isak lives in limbo. Called by his nation, guarded by his club. If he returns smoothly, Liverpool gain a forward capable of tilting Premier League title races. If the return is rushed, the risk is repeating this cycle of stop, start, and pause. With Sweden convinced and Liverpool cautious, the next week will shape the rhythm of his season. Fans in Liverpool and Sweden know how badly they need him fully firing. Now it is about patience, clarity and timing.