Alexander Isak Delivers Game-Changing Boost to Liverpool Before Crucial Man City Showdown

Sweden's national team coach Graham Potter has included Liverpool's Alexander Isak in his squad and indicated that he anticipates the forward will be available for action against Manchester City this weekend.

This represents welcome news for Liverpool, who have been missing their record transfer since he suffered an adductor injury four matches ago, ahead of a challenging visit to the Etihad on Sunday. Arne Slot has been cautious about sharing details regarding Isak's condition, but Potter has now provided additional insight into the situation.

The newly appointed Sweden manager described Isak as "ready" for November's World Cup qualifying matches against Switzerland and Slovenia. Nevertheless, he also acknowledged that his key striker has not yet returned to complete fitness. "We'll observe this weekend. Hopefully he can feature against Manchester City and join us in Málaga," the English manager told Fotbollskanalen.

"However, Alex isn't prepared to complete 90 minutes in two matches within four days," Potter cautioned. "But he is ready and I'm eager to work with him."

Earlier in the week, Slot confirmed that Isak would "certainly not" begin against City as he had not yet rejoined full team training before Liverpool's midweek Champions League triumph over Real Madrid. Should Isak prove fit for selection, it could present the Reds manager with a tactical dilemma this weekend.

Liverpool's Range of Choices Against Man City

With Isak potentially returning, Liverpool are only without three players—though that might still concern Slot given his worries about the squad's depth following this summer's £420 million ($549.4 million) expenditure. Hugo Ekitiké has built a compelling argument to maintain his starting position throughout the campaign—regardless of Isak's availability—but the caliber of Liverpool's opposition may influence Slot's team selection.

Both encounters with Manchester City last season served as platforms for some of Slot's most brilliant tactical exhibitions. The Dutch manager didn't deploy a traditional striker in either clash with Pep Guardiola—one of his acknowledged coaching inspirations. A fluid false-nine partnership of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai caused considerable damage at the Etihad last February, with both players finding the net in a 3–0 victory.

It seems very improbable that Slot will sideline Ekitiké and Isak, but Szoboszlai will certainly play an important part—regardless of his position on Sunday.

Liverpool Injury Report vs. Man City