{"id":490005,"date":"2026-02-25T17:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T17:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/490005\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T17:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T17:32:11","slug":"alexander-isak-intrigue-grows-as-sweden-make-claim-over-liverpool-striker-fingers-crossed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/490005\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexander Isak intrigue grows as Sweden make claim over Liverpool striker – ‘fingers crossed’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sweden boss Graham Potter has not ruled out calling up Liverpool striker Alexander Isak for next month’s World Cup play-off\"Alexander<\/p>\n

Alexander Isak of Liverpool(Image: Joe Prior\/Visionhaus via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Sweden have not ruled out having Alexander Isak available for their World Cup qualifying play-off next month – despite the Liverpool striker still being weeks away from a return to action.<\/p>\n

Isak<\/a> hasn’t featured for the Reds<\/a> since sustaining an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture when caught by Micky van de Ven in the process of scoring the opener in Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League<\/a> win at Tottenham Hotspur shortly before Christmas.<\/p>\n

Arne Slot detailed last week that Isak was progressing with his rehabilitation but would most likely only become available for the Reds until after the March international break.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Real Madrid appeal over Florian Wirtz transfer revealed after Liverpool \u00a3116m deal<\/a>READ MORE: Liverpool’s Champions League path becomes clearer as possible opponent confirmed<\/a><\/p>\n

But Sweden boss Graham Potter, whose side take on Ukraine in their World Cup play-off semi-final, has indicated he hasn’t given up hope of Isak being fit, with doubts also continuing over Tottenham duo Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski.<\/p>\n

“Right now we’re just keeping our fingers crossed and hopefully we can get some of those guys back,” he said to Sweden news outlet Aftonbladet.<\/a><\/p>\n

“But if not, we have to find a solution with the guys that are available.”<\/p>\n

The prospect of Isak being named in the Sweden squad ahead of having returned to action for Liverpool could lead to a potential disagreement between club and country over the player’s recovery.<\/p>\n

Isak has had a miserable time at Anfield<\/a> since making a club record \u00a3125million move from Newcastle United last summer, with lack of fitness and a groin injury contributing to a record of only three goals in 16 appearances.<\/p>\n

Should Sweden – who finished bottom of their qualifying group but earned a place in the play-offs due to their recent record in the UEFA Nations League – beat Ukraine, they will then be at home to either Poland or Albania in the final.<\/p>\n

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