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The risk of suspension from Sweden's World Cup play-off semi-final meant that Alexander Isak was left out of his nation's 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday night.
Sweden endured a dreadful World Cup qualifying campaign, failing to win any of its six games and finishing at the bottom of its group with just two points. However, the Swedes' success in the Nations League – winning its group in 2024 – meant that a spot in the playoffs for the World Cup was already assured, irrespective of what happened during the qualifying campaign.
Liverpool striker Isak did not figure as much as he would've liked during Sweden's six group games, with injuries and a lack of match sharpness restricting him to just two starts, both of which came during the October break.
But his absence from Tuesday's game between Sweden and Slovenia had nothing to do with his physical state, but rather because he is one yellow card from an international suspension.
Considering Sweden's game against Slovenia was effectively a dead rubber, with both teams having failed to secure a top-two spot in their group, Sweden boss Graham Potter chose not to risk Isak picking up another booking, which would have seen him miss the play-off semi-final in March 2026.
“[It’s] not an ideal situation," Potter said. “You don’t want players who go on the pitch and can’t be aggressive. You’re not yourself then.”
Sweden will face either Italy, Ukraine, Turkey or Denmark away from home in the one-legged play-off, and will find out which one it is when the draw takes place on Thursday, November 20.
As for Isak, he will hope to be involved when Liverpool meets Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
Isak has not figured for the Reds since he picked up a hamstring injury during the 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Chamapions League.
“It has obviously been frustrating. It’s never fun to be injured,” Isak said of his fitness issues after coming off the bench during the second half of Sweden's loss to Switzerland last week
“It’s probably most frustrating for the player himself when you feel like you can’t be there and have an impact, but I try to be positive and now I’m healthy. I feel like my body was good after the match.”
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