Liverpool striker Alexander Isak was left on the bench for Tuesday’s game against Sweden to avoid a possible suspension. The 26-year-old watched from the sidelines in Stockholm as his country ended a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign with a last-minute 1-1 draw with Slovenia.
This is the third consecutive game in which Liverpool’s £125m signing has not been included in the starting XI. Isak did not come on as a substitute in the Reds’ 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, and played 28 minutes in Sweden’s 4-1 loss to Switzerland on Saturday.
Sweden finished at the bottom of Group B with just two points after six games. Poor results under manager John Dahl Thomasson led to a change of manager last month, with former West Ham manager Graham Potter taking over.
Despite Sweden’s lackluster performance, they still have a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup thanks to an excellent Nations League campaign that secured them a play-off spot. Isak was one of nine Swedish players at risk of suspension for the semi-final, which will see them face either Italy, Turkey, Denmark or Ukraine in a one-legged match.
The yellow card will carry over to the play-off semi-finals, but Isak had already been booked for Sweden’s 2-0 defeat against Kosovo in September. If he receives a second yellow card or is sent off, he will be suspended from the match on March 26th.
“We have received further letters from FIFA and UEFA on these matters and we would like to double check what they have to say,” Sweden president Stefan Patterson told Sportbladet.
“By the next game we’ll know with 100 per cent certainty what applies. We’re not panicking about it right now. It could certainly (influence team selection). But it’s Graham who makes the final decision on team selection, but obviously it could have an impact.”
After the game, Coach Potter spoke about the decision to leave Isaac and others on the bench. “It’s not an ideal situation,” admitted the former Swansea, Brighton and Chelsea manager.
“You don’t want a player who can’t be aggressive when he goes on the field. Then you’re not yourself.”
Isak will be keen to start his first game in a month when Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday. Isak’s next chance will come when Arne Slott’s side continue their Champions League journey at home against PSV.
