Isak back in action and Wirtz on target – Liverpool stars on international duty | OneFootball

Liverpool finally got their record transfer deal across the line for Alexander Isak at the start of this international break and he has now been seen back in action.

The Reds chased Isak in a saga that dominated the summer transfer window, before finally landing the forward for a British record £125 million fee on deadline day. The Swedish striker had not featured for Newcastle as he looked to force his move, with his first appearance of the season coming for his national side this week.

Isak did not start in either of the matches, although he did come off the bench in Sweden’s 2-0 defeat to Kosovo. Despite only making an 18-minute cameo, the attacker still managed to direct demonstrate match sharpness, firing three shots on target.

There was also news from Liverpool’s other record-breaking signing of this summer. Florian Wirtz netted his first competitive goal since making his £115 million move to Anfield. The German started both matches for his country. They succumbed to a disappointing 2-0 loss to Slovakia before bouncing back with a 3-1 victory over Norther Ireland.

Conor Bradley started in both of Northern Ireland’s fixtures – a 3-1 win over Luxembourg and the 3-1 loss against Germany. The full-back has spent time sidelined with injury at the start of this season.

Dominik Szoboszlai captained his national team and played every minute for Hungary across the break. The midfielder recorded an assist in their 2-2 draw against Ireland, before they conceded a late winner in a 3-2 defeat to Portugal. He was joined in the starting lineup in both matches by new teammate Milos Kerkez.

Like Szoboszlai, Andrew Robertson captained his country and played every minute for Scotland. They drew 0-0 with Denmark before defeating Belarus 2-0, in a solid start to their World Cup qualifiers.

Ibrahima Konate started in both of France’s victories over Ukraine and Iceland. New teammate Hugo Ekitike made his full international debut in the former, playing the final nine minutes.

Liverpool’s numerous Dutch players were out in force to represent the Netherlands as they drew 1-1 with Poland and defeated Lithuania 3-2. Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo played every minute, with the former providing an assist in the win. Ryan Gravenberch played 90 minutes in the Poland draw.

Giorgi Mamardashvili is yet to make his competitive debut for Liverpool, but he retained his number one spot with Georgia. They lost 3-2 in their first match but he then kept a clean sheet in their 3-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper Alisson also featured in both of his country’s matches. He kept a clean sheet in their win against Chile, before they suffered a defeat in Bolivia. Despite losing 1-0, it was a stellar performance from Alisson, who made nine saves and did well to limit the scoreline in a tricky fixture at high altitude.

Also in South America, Alexis Mac Allister played 90 minutes for Argentina in their 1-0 loss to Ecuador.

Elsewhere, in Africa Mohamed Salah once again proved why he is known as ‘the Egyptian king’. Egypt’s captain opened the scoring in their 2-0 victory over Ethiopia. They then continued their undefeated World Cup qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Burkina Faso. The winger is now on the verge of helping his country secure World Cup qualification for just the fourth-ever time.