Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has praised Liverpool for their handling of Alexander Isak following a disjointed pre-season with Newcastle United
16:15, 06 Oct 2025Updated 00:25, 07 Oct 2025
Alexander Isak has taken time to get up to full speed this season. (Image: YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)
Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has fired a subtle dig at Newcastle United as he praised Liverpool for their handling of Alexander Isak. The striker joined the Reds in a British record £125m move on transfer deadline day, having essentially gone on strike at St. James’ Park in order to force through a Magpies exit.
The player did not feature at all for Newcastle throughout pre-season, as he trained alone for the majority. As a result, he went nearly four months without playing before making his return for Sweden during the September international break.
Isak was left unused for his nation’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia, before featuring as a 72nd minute substitute in their 2-0 defeat to Kosovo.
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Since then, he has made six appearances for Liverpool – with four of those coming from the start – but with the Reds managing his minutes carefully, Isak has featured 312 minutes and returned one goal and one assist.
The striker admitted that he is still building his way back up following his disjointed summer when speaking after Liverpool’s loss to Chelsea.
But he is set for further game-time during the October international break after being included in the Sweden squad to face Switzerland and Kosovo in their latest World Cup qualifiers.
Tomasson has admitted he does not yet know whether or not Isak will be fit enough to complete a full 90 minutes for Sweden during the break, but insists the striker has made good progress in comparison to his last international call-up.
“I don’t know, to be honest, as he hasn’t played 90 minutes yet,” he said.
“But one thing I know is that he looks better than a month ago, which is normal. He also made an excellent assist this weekend (against Chelsea).
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“I don’t know if it’s a long way (until he is back to his best), but we’re getting closer, as you need six weeks in a pre-season.
“First you play 45 minutes, then 60 minutes, 75 minutes and 90 minutes. Then you need another three weeks to be at your best. That’s normal.
“Whether it will be 90 minutes also depends on the matches, so I can’t give a good answer about that.
“We need to look at the players individually and we get data from the clubs regarding what the players can do physically and whether they can play 90 minutes or not twice.
“I think Alexander is a good example in terms of how Liverpool have handled him in an excellent way.
“Normally, you need a six-week pre-season and then another three weeks to really be at your best.
“He has his own pre-season and plays competitive games. It’s a tough way to get fit, but they’ve handled it well.
“I think he has done very well. When you come to a new club it is normal that it can take time to interact with the new team-mates.
“He is doing his pre-season with competitive matches and I think he and Liverpool have handled it very well.
“If you look at the way he plays, the way he moves is top class. I still think he is very good.”
Meanwhile, Tomasson also fired a dig at Newcastle, who he played for himself during his own playing days, as he pointed out how their contrasting treatment of Yoane Wissa in comparison to Isak came back to bite.
The DR Congo international joined the Magpies in a £55m deal from Brentford on transfer deadline as one of two replacements for Isak, having also endured a disjointed summer as he too looked to force through a transfer.
But the 29-year-old is yet to play for his new club having picked up a knee injury during the September international break, and is not expected to return until November.
“We can’t change the situation (with Isak),” Tomasson said. “I’m just happy that Liverpool are doing the same thing I would have done.
“You can see what Newcastle did with Yoane Wissa, who came in instead of Isak. He played international matches with Congo straight away and is now injured. He is still injured.
“That’s also a reason why we couldn’t play him so much last month.
“We need a good Isak this month and next month. That’s how we plan, while Liverpool have done really well.”