Truth behind Alexander Isak absence amid Liverpool fears – ‘clear it can have an impact’

Alexander Isak was an unused substitute for Sweden in their 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday, causing Liverpool fans to panic as the British record transfer is yet to impress at Anfield

Alexander Isak remained on the bench for Sweden as they secured a 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday amid concerns over a potential suspension for March’s World Cup play-off clash.

The Liverpool striker had made his comeback on Saturday following nearly a month on the sidelines with a groin problem. Isak entered the fray as a second-half replacement but couldn’t prevent Graham Potter’s team from suffering a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland.

There had been expectations that the Reds forward would play a more significant role against Slovenia. Saturday’s loss meant Tuesday’s encounter at the Strawberry Arena in Solna was effectively meaningless, leading to the choice to omit Isak due to worries that a booking would sideline him for next year’s play-off.

Stefan Pettersson, who serves alongside former Chelsea, West Ham and Brighton manager Potter in Sweden’s coaching setup, acknowledged the Liverpool No. 9 was excluded to prevent a suspension for the vital fixture next year, reports the Liverpool Echo.

“We receive some supplementary letters from FIFA and UEFA about these things,” Pettersson explained. “I want to double check what it might say in them. Before the next game, we will know with 100% certainty what applies. There is no panic about it now.”

“That could be the case [that Isak and some Sweden players were at risk of suspension]. It certainly can [affect team selection].

“But it is Graham who makes the final decisions when it comes to the team selection. But it is clear that it can have an impact.

“The situation with the yellow cards, injuries to players, it’s not an ideal situation,” Potter added. “You don’t want players who go on the pitch and can’t be aggressive. You’re not yourself then.

“We have learned a lot. We are trying to lay a foundation, find stability and balance. Hopefully, we don’t have to remind the players in March about how we play. It’s already a little bit in my memory from this week.

“Anything can happen in March. We know we have to beat two good teams to advance [to the World Cup].

“They are good teams all four, but if we can get our best players back in good shape, then.”

This means Isak heads back to the AXA Training Centre having appeared for just 28 minutes out of a potential 180 for his country during the international break.

The 26-year-old hasn’t featured for the Reds since hobbling off at half-time during the 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on October 22.

However, following his role as an unused substitute in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on October 9, he could be in line for a return when Nottingham Forest make the trip to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

The £125m striker, who made the switch to Liverpool from Newcastle United on September 1, has found the net just once since his arrival – netting against Southampton in the Carabao Cup more than two months ago.