Alexander Isak is “so happy” to be on international duty with Sweden, according to boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, who also said there had been no instructions from Liverpool regarding the striker’s playing time over the next week.
Isak linked up with his national team late on Monday, hours after completing his controversial move to Merseyside from Newcastle for a British record fee of £125million.
The 25-year-old had been training alone at Newcastle after expressing his desire to leave St James’ Park and is now relishing the opportunity to work alongside his Sweden team-mates.
“I saw him smile, he is so happy to be here, so happy to play for Sweden. He really likes being here,” said Tomasson, whose side face World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia on Friday and Kosovo on September 8.
We have not received any instructions from Liverpool – Tomasson
Asked how much Isak will play in those two games – and whether Liverpool had requested his minutes be limited – Tomasson added: “We have not received any instructions. But we have good contact with the clubs, I have spoken to the coach and our doctor has spoken to the doctor. It is normal communication that we have with all clubs.
“During a pre-season you have a lot of training, several matches, now that’s not the case [with Isak]. So he will definitely not play 90 minutes. Will we do stupid things with Alex? No, we will not do stupid things.
“We have a plan.”
Will Isak speak to the media while away with Sweden?
Bar in-house media at Liverpool and an Instagram message to Newcastle yesterday, Isak has yet to discuss his move to the Premier League champions, or his behaviour leading up to it.
Sweden’s media manager Petra Thoren confirmed today that he would not be put up for news conference duties prior to Friday’s game but did not rule it out completely before the Kosovo fixture.
She said: “I do not guarantee that he will be available to the media at any time during this period [the international break]. But I also do not rule it out.
“We are taking it day by day. It is an ongoing dialogue. Alex’s focus and desire right now is to put all his effort into preparations for the matches.”
Isak is likely to make his Liverpool debut when Arne Slot’s side go to Burnley on September 14.
