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Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has insisted that playing Alexander Isak for more than around 20 minutes against Kosovo on Monday would have been a major risk for the Liverpool striker.
Isak was making his return to competitive action after 106 days following an injury and then a strike this summer as he successfully forced through a move to Anfield. But ahead of a potential debut for the Reds on Sunday against Burnley, Isak's international boss has warned that he still has some catching up to do with regards to his fitness.
"This was the maximum number of minutes I could give him," Tomasson told Viaplay post-match, explaining the decision to keep Isak on the bench until the 72nd minute.
"We have talked in recent days about what risks there are and what is not a risk. It is extremely difficult to take a risk.
"I want to play him every minute. You can see right away that he is dangerous and creates things. But we also need him next month, the month after that, and next year."
Isak didn't go on Newcastle United's pre-season tour to Asia in the summer and when his teammates returned to the North East, he was made to train alone.
On the day that his British record Liverpool transfer went through, the 25-year-old flew out to join up with the Swedish national team and therefore is yet to meet his new Reds teammates.
However, there will be no rush to force him back into action for his new club. Liverpool, like Sweden, will take a safety-first approach — not least because Hugo Ekitike has started so well since his own $106 million (£79 million) move.
"When you play for the best teams, you inevitably expect to be competing with the best players," Ekitike said while on international duty with France.
"Isak is a player I used to watch, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure. It's going to be tough competition, but I'm going to work hard to be good and perform well so that it's just the coach's problem."
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"It is a big move," he added on his transfer more generally. "I am watched 1000 times more than before, but I take it as a positive. It is the position I wanted to be in.
"When you have these kinds of standards, you have to show that you deserve your place here and continue to perform. It is a position that I like to be in, and I want to keep it."
Liverpool.com says: Arne Slot will be careful with Isak and it will help that Ekitike has started so well at Anfield. The Frenchman looks ready-made to play for Liverpool already, so Isak can be eased into the starting XI over a number of weeks.
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