Graham Potter is sweating on the fitness of Liverpool striker Alexander Isak as he prepares for a high-stakes baptism of fire with the Swedish national team.
The former Chelsea manager, recently installed as the successor to Jon Dahl Tomasson, faces a nightmare scenario ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup play-offs with his talismanic striker still sidelined.
Isak has endured a torrid start to life on Merseyside following his British record £125 million move from Newcastle United. The 26-year-old saw his season shattered two months ago during Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
After opening the scoring for the Reds, a collision with Spurs defender Micky van de Ven left the Swede with a broken leg and his debut season in tatters.
The long road back
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is refusing to gamble with his record signing. While Isak has progressed to running outside at the AXA Training Centre, Slot has poured cold water on hopes of a swift international return. The Reds have tentatively circled the end of March for a competitive comeback, which places a massive question mark over his availability for Sweden’s semi-final clash against Ukraine on March 26.
“In this stage, you constantly have to wait and see if you tick the next box,” Slot warned ahead of Liverpool’s narrow win over Nottingham Forest. Furthermore, the Dutchman pointed out that “being back with the group” does not equate to being match-fit, especially for a player who missed pre-season during an acrimonious exit from St James’ Park.
When Liverpool committed to a deal that could eventually rise to £130 million, they weren’t just buying goals they were buying a specific profile to lead the Slot era. However, the Swedish marksman’s debut year has been defined more by the treatment table than the scoresheet.
| Metric | Total | Context |
| Appearances | 17 | Mostly cameos or truncated starts |
| Goals | 3 | vs. Southampton, West Ham, and Tottenham |
| Assists | 1 | Combined with Wirtz and Ekitike |
| Minutes Played | ~780 | Less than 9 full matches’ worth of time |
| Starts | 10 | Often withdrawn early due to fitness |
Liverpool have essentially been paying for a high-end luxury they can only use in bursts.
Sweden’s play-off path
Should Sweden navigate past Ukraine, a winner-takes-all final against either Poland or Albania awaits on March 31. The prize is a spot in the expanded 2026 World Cup group stage alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia.
| Fixture | Date | Potential Stakes |
| Sweden vs. Ukraine | March 26 | World Cup Play-off Semi-Final |
| Path B Final | March 31 | Winner qualifies for 2026 World Cup |
| Liverpool Return | Early April | Premier League Run-in / UCL Push |
Selection headaches for Potter
Potter’s problems extend beyond Isak. The boss is also monitoring Spurs starlet Lucas Bergvall, while Dejan Kulusevski looks certain to miss the qualification period entirely. Consequently, Potter finds himself caught between the desperate need for his best players and the medical reality facing his stars.
“Right now, we’re just keeping our fingers crossed,” Potter told Sportbladet. “But if not, we have to find a solution with the guys that are available.”
However, there is a growing tension between national pride and club necessity. While Potter eyes the short-term glory of qualification, Liverpool are looking at the long-term protection of their primary asset.
The burden on Ekitike
Liverpool fans are equally anxious to see their marksman return. Isak has yet to complete a full 90 minutes for the club, having surpassed the 70-minute mark only four times. His absence has forced Hugo Ekitike to shoulder the heavy scoring burden alone.
For Liverpool, the stakes are equally high. While they’ve managed to maintain a charge toward Champions League qualification the fear within is that a premature return for Sweden could trigger a setback that ends Isak’s season entirely. If the striker does feature against Ukraine, it will likely be a cameo appearance rather than a 90-minute shift.
While Slot preaches caution, the prospect of Isak gaining vital minutes with Sweden remains a double-edged sword. If he proves his fitness, he could provide the spark Liverpool need to secure Champions League football.
