In a shocking turn of events during Sweden’s 2-2 draw against Slovenia on Friday, national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson made the controversial decision to leave star striker Alexander Isak on the bench for the entire match. The Scandinavian side took the lead twice in Ljubljana through goals from Anthony Elanga and Yasin Ayari, only to be pegged back by Slovenia, with Žan Vipotnik’s dramatic 90th-minute equalizer sealing a frustrating draw for Sweden. Fans were left stunned as Isak, the Premier League’s record-breaking $169 million signing to Liverpool, remained an unused substitute, raising questions about Tomasson’s cautious approach and Isak’s fitness.
Tomasson had hinted during the week that he would prioritize caution with Isak, who endured a fragmented summer due to his high-profile transfer saga. The Swedish and Liverpool medical teams have been in close contact to monitor the 25-year-old’s match readiness, with Tomasson emphasizing that he would avoid doing “stupid things” with the former Newcastle star. Post-match, the former Denmark forward explained his decision to Viaplay, stating, “He had only done three training sessions with the team. No pre-season with the team and of course no playing time. The risk is probably a bit too great to use him today.”
Isak’s absence from the pitch sparked heated debates among fans, with many labeling Tomasson’s decision a “national scandal” given the striker’s undeniable talent and game-changing potential. The decision was particularly perplexing as Sweden struggled to hold onto their lead, and Isak’s flair could have potentially secured the victory. When pressed about whether Isak might feature in Monday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Kosovo, Tomasson offered a glimmer of hope, saying, “Hopefully, hopefully. As a game-changer.” However, his non-committal response did little to quell the growing frustration among supporters.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Isak’s limited preparation stems from his turbulent summer. After essentially going on strike at Newcastle, Isak was forced to train individually, away from the team, which significantly hampered his match sharpness. Speaking at his Liverpool unveiling, the forward admitted, “I’ve had a tricky summer where I haven’t played any games and I’ve had restricted training, so I think that’s one to judge and to analyse where I am at and how much I am ready to give. But I certainly want to play as soon as possible.” His candid revelation about his fitness has stunned fans, who expected their star striker to be ready to lead the line for both club and country.
Isak’s $169 million (£125M) transfer to Liverpool on deadline day shattered Premier League records, setting sky-high expectations for his performances. However, with no competitive minutes since the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Isak is likely to play a supporting role behind Hugo Ekitike upon his return to Merseyside. Ekitike, meanwhile, marked his France debut with a nine-minute cameo in a 2-0 win over Ukraine, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of Liverpool’s players on international duty.
As Sweden prepares for their next match, the spotlight remains firmly on Tomasson’s handling of Isak. Fans and pundits alike are questioning whether the coach’s conservative approach is justified or if it risks squandering the talents of one of Europe’s most exciting forwards. With the World Cup qualifier against Kosovo looming, all eyes will be on whether Isak can shake off his fitness concerns and prove his worth as the “game-changer” Tomasson believes he can be. For now, the decision to bench him against Slovenia has ignited a firestorm of criticism, leaving Sweden’s faithful wondering if their star striker is being unfairly sidelined.