The Reds’ record signing was booed onto the pitch during a tough night for Sweden, but will return to Merseyside unscathed ahead of a busy schedule.
Alexander Isak’s long-awaited return to competitive football was met with a chorus of boos from a passionate Kosovo crowd on Monday night, as Sweden fell to a 2-0 defeat in World Cup qualifying.
The match marked a significant moment for the 25-year-old striker, who had not played a single minute of football in over 100 days following his British-record £125 million move from Newcastle United to Liverpool on transfer deadline day. All eyes were on whether he would feature for his national team, and he was finally introduced as a 72nd-minute substitute.
However, his entrance into the game was far from welcoming. Reports from the ground describe a hostile atmosphere in Pristina, with Isak singled out by home supporters as he stepped onto the field. While the exact reason for the targeted boos was unclear, it appeared to be a display of partisan fervor from the Kosovan fans hoping to protect their team’s lead rather than a direct reaction to his recent high-profile transfer.
The night failed to improve for the new Liverpool star. Within ten minutes of coming on, Isak found his name in the referee’s book after a scuffle broke out between the two teams. He was shown a yellow card alongside two Kosovo players following a heated clash.
There was a late chance for a silver lining when Isak was played through on goal, but his shot was saved comfortably by goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. The most important positive for Liverpool fans, however, is that their club-record signing emerged from the physical match without any injury concerns.
Manager Arne Slot will now be eager to welcome Isak back to Merseyside and integrate him into the squad. His return comes just in time for a critical run of fixtures, beginning with a Premier League trip to Burnley on September 14th. This is quickly followed by a Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid, a Merseyside derby clash with Everton, and a Carabao Cup tie against Southampton.
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