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Alexander Isak will have to wait a little while longer to make his first appearance of the season after the new Liverpool striker was named on the bench for Sweden against Kosovo.
Isak hasn’t played a single minute of competitive action since the start of the 2025/26 campaign, having been left out by Newcastle as he tried to get his move to Anfield over the line.
The 25-year-old was forced to train alone, with reports at the time suggesting he was refusing to play for the Magpies, before he eventually secured his $169 million switch to Merseyside on deadline day, and immediately headed out on international duty with Sweden.
Isak was named in a matchday squad for the first time this season for his country's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on Friday, although he would remain an unused substitute, despite his side conceding a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw.
Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson hinted that Isak could feature in the second game of the international break against Kosovo though, and recent posts by the country's media team would seem to suggest he will feature at some point.
"The last game, I kept him on the bench for 90 minutes long," Tomasson said. "A bit for the result. If we were 1-1, then he would definitely have played minutes, but we were leading.
"We shouldn't forget that Alex had only had three training [sessions] but now has had five training [sessions].
"He hasn't had a long pre-season so we are thinking about the short term and also the long term. But he can definitely be a game-changer."
If Isak is to make his first appearance of the season today though, it will be as a substitute, with the 25-year-old having once again been named on the bench by Tomasson.
Instead, Viktor Gyokeres is preferred up front, with Newcastle's Anthony Elanga will provide support to the Arsenal frontman.
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Liverpool may not be too disappointed with Isak missing out on a first start of the season, with a hectic schedule awaiting the Reds once they return to action this weekend.
A trip to Burnley awaits on Sunday before Atletico Madrid visits Anfield on Wednesday as the opening stage of Champions League gets underway, with Everton visiting just a few days later for the Merseyside derby.
"I've had a tricky summer where I haven’t played any games," Isak said when his transfer was confirmed on deadline day.
"I've had restricted training, so I think that’s one to judge and to analyze where I am at and how much I am ready to give. But I certainly want to play as soon as possible."
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