Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has come under heavy fire after Sweden’s 2–0 defeat to Switzerland in their World Cup qualifier on Friday night, with critics branding him a “national disgrace.”

The £125 million (approximately KSh 23.6 billion) deadline-day signing from Newcastle completed the full 90 minutes but struggled to make an impact.

Despite efforts to regain match fitness since his record move to Anfield, Isak managed only one off-target shot, 12 completed passes, and one duel won out of seven.

Isak’s goal drought now extends to five matches for club and country, and his recent form has coincided with Sweden’s worst start to a qualifying campaign in decades.

They sit bottom of Group B with a single point from three games eight behind leaders Switzerland and face Kosovo at home on October 13.

Fans and pundits have linked the striker’s struggles to his controversial summer, when he reportedly went on strike to force through his big-money move to Liverpool, missing most of pre-season in the process.

“Alexander Isak has genuinely let his country down tonight,” one fan posted on X, while The Northern Echo’s chief sports writer Scott Wilson added:

“Wonder how the Swedes feel about Isak’s decision to go on strike and massively reduce his ability to positively affect the last four matches. Bottom of their group. Still, he got what he wanted…”

Flashscore rated Isak 5.8/10, the joint-lowest on the pitch. Others were even harsher, claiming he had “single-handedly tanked Sweden’s qualification chances through selfish behaviour.”

To make matters worse, his Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike who started for France the same night drew praise for his energetic display, prompting further comparisons.

For Isak, hailed as one of Europe’s most promising strikers just a year ago, the criticism marks a new low in what has quickly become a turbulent chapter for both club and country.

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