Overview
- Sweden staff confirmed Isak was left out versus Slovenia to prevent a yellow-card suspension for March's World Cup play-off, with Graham Potter calling the situation less than ideal.
- The 26-year-old logged only 28 minutes across the break after a month out with groin pain and has not started for club or country since October 22.
- At Liverpool, Isak has one goal since his £125m move and missed pre-season, while a groin issue in the Frankfurt game further disrupted his integration.
- Ekitike scored for France against Ukraine then started against Azerbaijan, earning public encouragement from Didier Deschamps despite a quieter second outing.
- With Mohamed Salah set to leave for AFCON in December, local analysis suggests Arne Slot could trial an Isak–Ekitike partnership or continue to prioritise Ekitike's current form, as pundits urge selection by performance over price.