Alexander Isak tipped for new role with pressure on Liverpool striker after Anfield struggles

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Alexander Isak has been tipped for a role in a front two with Viktor Gyokeres as Sweden aims to clinch an unlikely play-off spot in World Cup qualifying.

Sweden has games against Switzerland and Slovenia coming up over the next few days, and must win both – and hope that Kosovo loses both of its games – in order to finish in second position in qualifying Group B. Sweden goes into both games with Graham Potter as its interim manager after sacking Jon Dahl Tomasson off the back of the last break.

Former Sweden defender Jonas Olsson, who played in the Premier League for West Bromwich Albion, criticized Tomasson's tactics and said that it will be important for Potter to find a way to get the best out of Isak and Gyokeres.

"It's about getting them (Isak and Gyokeres) involved in the game, putting him in good positions as often as possible. That wasn't the case with the former manager," Olsson told Sky Sports.

"He wanted to play a high-pressing line, but they didn't manage to do it. The amount of times Isak or Gyokeres was on the ball was very limited.

"Potter has to find a way to get them more involved, whether that be pressing high or whether that be being better in transition.

"Another issue was with the formation the former manager played, with one striker. It was a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Isak as a dropping striker, but I think they will play with two strikers now.

"The chemistry between them hasn't been good at all in the national team, not in these four games or the games in the summer, so that's something to work on when Gyokeres is back, but I do think a change of formation will be a first step towards that."

Isak and Gyokeres are teammates at international level

Isak and Gyokeres are teammates at international level

Liverpool boss Arne Slot is also facing a similar dilemma to Potter, as he tries to accommodate two top strikers in Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

Slot was asked about the possibility of Isak and Ekitike playing alongside one another during an interview with TNT Sports last week.

The Dutchman allayed concerns over the pair's compatibility and said that there are a number of ways in which both players can be accommodated in the team at the same time.

“Hugo could also play off the left in my opinion or maybe around Alex, whereas Alex is more of an out-and-out number nine," Slot said.

“Hugo is maybe more a player that also likes to drop more in spaces coming off the left, whereas Alex, I think, prefers to be in the middle.”

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