Liverpool have already held talks with the Sweden national team on the best course of action around Alexander Isak‘s training and game time this month.
Isak has not played in any capacity since the end of last season in May, and was not part of full training with the Newcastle squad throughout the summer.
He therefore joins Liverpool short of both match fitness and potentially the rhythm needed for their day-to-day work at the AXA Training Centre.
His call-up to the Sweden squad to play Slovenia (Friday) and Kosovo (Monday) may be opportune, with Liverpool already receiving contact from Jon Dahl Tomasson and his staff over Isak’s role in those World Cup qualifiers.
“We’re not going to do anything stupid with him,” the Sweden manager told reporters on Wednesday, per Fotbollskanalen.
“He hasn’t had a pre-season with lots of training and matches. He can’t play 90 minutes.
“We have a plan. He’s smiling and happy to be here.”
The likelihood is that Isak is considered an option from the bench, though there will be no orders or restrictions on his game time imposed by Liverpool.
Instead, Liverpool and the Swedish staff are in agreement over how to employ the 25-year-old during the break.
“We always have very good communication with the clubs,” Tomasson continued.
“I have spoken to their manager. Our doctor has spoken to their doctor. Our physio Ben has spoken to their physio.”
No risks will be taken, therefore, with Isak himself already acknowledging that, after a “tricky summer,” he may not be up to speed by Liverpool’s next game away to Burnley on September 14.
But his spirits will be high nonetheless, with Tomasson welcoming an “extremely happy” striker to his squad.
“I’m happy that the guy is here,” the Sweden manager said.
“It doesn’t matter where the players play as long as they play and that they are happy…and he is extremely happy.”
This break and the two qualifiers can be seen as a condensed pre-season of sorts for Isak before he reports for work at the AXA Training Centre later in the month.
While there are similarities with the situation of Federico Chiesa upon his move to Liverpool a year ago, there will be a confidence that the new No. 9 will not take as long to acclimatise.
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