Alexander Isak scored his fifth goal of the season for Sweden on Friday, but Graham Potter has raised concerns for Liverpool by admitting the striker could start every match during the international break. The 27-year-old has been in strong form for the Reds after a full pre-season, following an injury-hit debut campaign at Anfield.
Isak's international form
Isak found the net in the first half of Sweden's Nations League clash with Romania, producing a composed first-time finish in the 20th minute. Romania equalised, but Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres scored what proved to be the winner just before the interval. Isak completed the full game, the fourth time he has done so this season, while his replacement came off with 15 minutes to play.
Liverpool have made an unbeaten start to the 2026/27 campaign, with Isak's goals leading to both of their away wins. He has already matched his total goal tally for the Reds from the 2025/26 season and is rapidly approaching the same number of starts.
Potter's rotation stance
With Sweden having three more games in the next nine days, Potter said Isak could be named in the starting XI for all of them, though he will not play every minute.
"It's not about rotating for the sake of rotating, as we want to win the games and try to play with our strongest team in every game," Potter said ahead of Friday's match. "Alex has played a lot of games lately, is in a good place and as I know him he wants to start games, but we need to see how everyone is, how they react and recover. Can Isak start every game? Potentially yes. But there's no chance (he will) play all the minutes."
Liverpool's October schedule
Sweden face Poland on September 28, then travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on October 2, followed by an away fixture in Romania on October 5. That means Isak could start four matches in just 10 days before returning to Anfield.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will be hoping to see Isak given a breather at some stage, but that wish may go unfulfilled. The Reds play six times across three competitions in October, with Isak potentially forced to start all of them due to Hugo Ekitike's injury. Cody Gakpo can play centrally, while Rio Ngumoha, Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz are Iraola's options for the two winger roles.
