In a surprising revelation, Sweden’s national team head coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, has cast doubt on Alexander Isak’s ability to play a full 90-minute match, despite including the 25-year-old striker in the squad for upcoming internationals. This statement comes as a shock to Liverpool, who have been heavily linked with the Newcastle United forward in recent transfer rumors.
Isak, who has not played a competitive match since May, has been training separately throughout the summer due to transfer-related tensions and is reportedly lacking match fitness. Despite his absence from Newcastle’s pre-season, Tomasson named him in the 23-man squad for Sweden’s matches against Slovenia on September 5 and Kosovo on September 8. However, in a press conference on August 28, the Swedish coach issued a stark warning to Liverpool, suggesting that if Isak were to join Anfield, he would need significant time to regain his peak performance.
“Can he play 90 minutes? Of course not. Absolutely not,” Tomasson stated bluntly, addressing concerns about Isak’s current physical condition. This admission has raised eyebrows, particularly as Liverpool’s £110 million bid for the striker was rejected by Newcastle earlier in the transfer window, which closes at 7 p.m. on September 1.
Newcastle, under manager Eddie Howe, have no intention of selling their star forward and are focused on reintegrating him into the squad. However, Isak’s desire to leave for Liverpool has been made clear to Newcastle’s management, adding complexity to his situation. Despite his lack of game time, Tomasson praised Isak’s professionalism, strong character, and work ethic, noting that the player remains mentally resilient after multiple conversations.
Commenting on the transfer speculation, Tomasson was cautious: “It’s hard to have a clear opinion. We don’t know exactly what happened at the club. We need to be careful and avoid jumping to conclusions without all the facts. Alex is smart—perhaps even smarter than me.”
As the transfer deadline looms, Liverpool must weigh the risks of pursuing a player who may not be match-ready. For now, Isak’s immediate focus will be on proving his fitness and form for Sweden, while Newcastle continues to hold firm in their stance to keep their prized asset.