Alexander Isak explains limited minutes

Alexander Isak has explained why his playing time has been limited for Sweden, while Liverpool hired a former youth team captain to a coaching position.

Isak’s Sweden minutes agreed with Liverpool

Isak came on in the 72nd minute for Sweden as they suffered a shock 2-0 defeat away at Kosovo in World Cup qualifying.

This was the striker’s first competitive appearance since May 25, following his self-imposed exile at Newcastle.

Press in Sweden speculated that Liverpool may have asked for his minutes to be limited, and when posed the question, Isak told Viaplay: “Not that I know of. I’m with the national team now.

“Clubs and national teams have contact but it’s between them in such cases. [I played] 20 minutes and it felt okay.”

Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson agreed that it had been a joint decision to ease him back into competitive action.

“I gave him the maximum number of minutes,” Tomasson explained. “We have talked during this meeting about what is a risk and what is not a risk.

“It is, of course, very difficult. You want to play him every minute. You see he is dangerous and creates chances, but we need him next month, the month after that and next year.”

New third kit launched and today’s other LFC news

• Liverpool’s new third kit has been released, and it’s a beauty! – the classic adidas Trefoil is back and so is the Reds’ crest used from 1987 to 1992

• Former under-21s captain Tom Clayton has rejoined Liverpool in a coaching role at just 24 years old – great to see the club providing support for our ex-players!

• Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has said Alexis Mac Allister “is fine” and is likely to start the World Cup qualifier, despite not being “100 percent fit” – they play away against Ecuador at 12am (BST)

• Liverpool U19s’ UEFA Youth League fixtures have been announced, and it is fair to say they have a tough run – find the dates here

Elsewhere in the football world today

• Ange Postecoglou has replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as Nottingham Forest manager – that’s a complete style change for the players!

• Clubs want more clarity about Man City and the Premier League‘s settlement over the rules that govern commercial deals (BBC Sport)

• Luis Suarez has been given an additional three-game ban, on top of the six he has already been handed for spitting on a Seattle Sounders coach while playing for Inter Miami

Liverpool FC: On this day

Back on September 9, 1959, Roger Hunt scored on his debut for Liverpool as a second-division Reds side beat Scunthorpe 2-0 at Anfield.

That goal would be the first of 285 for the club, a tally only bettered by Ian Rush.

The arrival of Bill Shankly, just a few months after his debut, helped Hunt reach incredible levels as a Liverpool player but also for England, with whom he won the World Cup in 1966.

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