Alexander Isak Makes Season Debut as Sweden Falls to Kosovo in World Cup Qualifier
Alexander Isak made his season debut as a second-half substitute during Sweden's World Cup qualifying match against Kosovo, where they suffered a defeat.
The British record signing, who transferred to Liverpool for £125 million from Newcastle on deadline day, did not feature in Friday's 2-2 draw against Slovenia.
However, Isak came on for Newcastle's Anthony Elanga in the final 18 minutes of the match in Pristina, with Sweden trailing 2-0.
He received a yellow card for an altercation with Kosovo's Fidan Aliti and managed to take three shots, two of which were on target.
This match marked Isak's first competitive appearance since May, as he had opted out of playing for the Magpies during pre-season friendlies and at the beginning of the current season.
Kosovo secured their victory with first-half goals from Elvis Rexhbecaj and Vedat Muriqi, earning their first points in Group B.
In a later incident, Kosovo's Lindon Emerllahu was sent off in injury time after receiving a second yellow card.
Switzerland currently leads the group with six points, while Sweden sits in third place with just one point.
Following the Slovenia match, Sweden's head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson explained Isak's absence from the starting lineup, stating, "He had only completed three training sessions with the team. He had no pre-season with the squad and, of course, no playing time. The risk was probably a bit too great to use him today."