Alexander Isak makes 'frustrating' admission as Liverpool striker offers new injury update

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak made his return from a groin injury as a substitute in Sweden's loss to Switzerland

Alexander Isak has shared his frustration after seeing his season disrupted by injury following his British record £125m move to Liverpool. The striker joined the Reds on transfer deadline day from Newcastle United, having essentially gone on strike at St. James’ Park in a bid to force an exit.

The Swede spent the majority of the summer training on his own and did not feature for the Magpies throughout pre-season or during the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign. As a result, he was left playing catch-up following his move to Anfield at the start of September.

Isak has admittedly endured a slow start to his Liverpool career, scoring just once from his first eight appearances for the club.

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But his progress was derailed by a groin injury last month after he was forced off at half-time in the Reds’ 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt.

He went on to miss Liverpool’s next four matches before being left as an unused substitute in the Reds’ 3-0 loss to Man City prior to the November international break.

Consequently, the 26-year-old made his return from injury for Sweden in their latest World Cup qualifier on Saturday night. Introduced as a 62nd-minute substitute, he was unable to stop his homeland from falling to a 4-1 defeat away at Switzerland.

Speaking after the loss, Isak revealed he ‘felt okay’ following his injury comeback and is determined to return to form for both club and country.

“It was about half an hour. It felt okay,” he told Sportbladet. “I feel like the reaction was good after the match in my body.

“Hopefully I can play properly in the next match (against Slovenia on Tuesday). “It's always frustrating when you're injured. Regardless of whether it's one match or more. It's always worst for the player himself.

“It hasn't been optimal. But when I'm on the field, I don't give myself any excuses. I always want to play my game and perform.

“But yes, it's hard to be away and not be able to help and contribute. Now I'm back and I'm positive. There's not much that's easy in football. But with experience you learn to deal with things.

“That's how it is with injuries and all that. You learn to deal with it and get back on track the right way.”

Meanwhile, Sweden manager Graham Potter confirmed in his own post-match press conference that he intends to give Isak a longer run-out against Slovenia following his return from injury.

"The plan was for Isak to play 30 minutes," he said. "It wasn't an easy position in the game to get into.

“Hopefully, we'll see more of him on Tuesday. The plan is for him to play more against Slovenia."

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