Alexander Isak plays just 19 minutes for Sweden during international break but remains popular recruit for Gameweek 4

DREAM TEAM managers are desperate for any clues that might hint at Alexander Isak’s (£6.5m) playing time ahead of Gameweek 4.

Having finally left Newcastle for Liverpool on transfer deadline day, the 25-year-old’s time in limbo is over and many gaffers have recruited him during the international break but such a move comes with risk.

Dream TeamIsak was in action for Sweden but only briefly[/caption]

Arne Slot’s side are set to fulfil their first double Gameweek of the season once this round of World Cup qualifiers are complete.

The Reds will travel to Turf Moor this Saturday to face a Burnley side that have conceded more shots than any other Premier League outfit across the first three Gameweeks.

Three days later, Liverpool will welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield to start their Champions league campaign.

It would be reasonable to expect plentiful points from Isak, who scored 27 goals in 2024/25, if he were to start both fixtures but his minutes are difficult to predict.

Dream Team bosses have perhaps been given an indication of the striker’s condition during the international break.

ReutersIsak was booked upon his return to action[/caption]

Isak played just 19 minutes across Sweden’s two qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo.

He didn’t feature at all in Ljubljana as Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side were held to a 2-2 draw and was restricted to a short cameo in Pristina, where Sweden lost 2-0.

In fact, the only notable incident upon Isak’s return to competitive action was a heated scuffle with Kosovo defender Fidan Aliti, which resulted in a yellow card.

After the game, Tomasson told reporters that his premier forward lacked match fitness, citing a disrupted pre-season and lack of game time at club level.

PADream Team bosses are eagerly awaiting Slot’s pre-match press conference[/caption]

Slot may see things differently but this does not bode well for gaffers who have added Isak to their forward line under the assumption he will get substantial minutes against the Clarets and Diego Simeone’s troops.

It may be that the new British transfer record holder is eased in with a couple of substitute appearances as he continues to get up to speed.

If Liverpool’s coaching staff concur with Sweden’s then Dream Team managers may be better served by Mohamed Salah (£7.5m), Hugo Ekitike (£5.5m) or Cody Gakpo (£5m) in Gameweek 4.

At the time of writing, Isak is the fifth-most popular recruit ahead of the restart — his ownership is up to 5.7%.

Remember, transfers can be reversed before the deadline if such action is necessary.

Slot will inevitably be asked about team news in his pre-match press conference and so it’s likely gaffers will receive more information on Isak before they are forced to commit to a Gameweek 4 strategy.

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