6 hours ago
1
Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg said it seemed as though Sweden had been ordered by Liverpool not to overwork Alexander Isak during the international break.
Isak did not figure in Sweden's 2-2 draw with Slovenia last week, while he only emerged as a very late substitute in Monday's defeat by Kosovo. Prior to that substitute appearance, Isak had not played in a competitive game since the end of last season, having effectively gone on strike prior to Newcastle's pre-season tour of China in a bid to force through a transfer to Liverpool.
When asked about Isak's cameo against Kosovo, Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson explained: "That was the maximum number of minutes I could give him."
Some of the pundits on the game, including Ljungberg, interpreted that response as Tomasson saying that he had been told to be careful with Isak by Liverpool.
Swedish journalist Erik Niva said: “My impression is that Liverpool had ordered a maximum of 20 minutes, absolutely no more. But that is speculation on my part and I don’t know.
“We will never know the truth. Because even if Liverpool has said one thing, Jon Dahl Tomasson will not admit it openly.”
Ljungberg agreed with Niva's suggestion, saying: “That’s what it sounded like. He [Tomasson] said he [Isak] played what he could."
Isak himself was also asked about suggestions that his international manager was keeping him wrapped in cotton wool in preparation for his return to club soccer.
"Not that I know of," Isak responded. "I'm with the national team now. Clubs and national teams have contact, but it's between them in such cases."
There was also plenty of interest in Isak's move to Liverpool after the international fixture, but Isak was not willing to divulge all the details, instead just speaking of his delight at securing a move to Anfield.
"Not everyone has the full picture, but that's something for another day," Isak told Swedish media. "I can't control everything that's said or written. But I'm happy that I became a Liverpool player.
"It's great that everything was settled before the camp and that I could focus on playing football again.
"It's been a fairly new situation for me, but you always learn and develop mentally off the pitch as well."
Isak could make his debut for Liverpool when the Reds' season resumes with a trip to Burnley this weekend.
English (US) ·