Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has made the decision to rest Alexander Isak for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League matchweek 4 fixture against Fenerbahçe in Turkiye. The Swedish striker is not injured and has been named among the substitutes as Liverpool aim to maintain their flawless European campaign. Having recorded three consecutive victories in the competition so far, the Reds have the opportunity to secure four wins from four matches, even while leaving substantial attacking firepower outside of the starting lineup.
Isak’s place on the bench comes after a demanding 90-minute performance against Arsenal at Anfield over the weekend. In that Premier League encounter, the forward registered two off-target shots and had the fewest touches of any player on the pitch. Iraola’s decision to manage Isak’s workload reflects a broader rotation strategy, with the Swedish international having also been left out of the starting lineup against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup prior to the Arsenal fixture. With five changes made to the side that faced the Gunners, Liverpool’s front line against Fenerbahçe features Bradley Barcola, Rio Ngumoha, and Victor Muñoz, with Barcola taking over central attacking duties as the sole striker.
Isak is not the only regular starter preserved for upcoming domestic duties. German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz has also been named on the bench against Fenerbahçe for rest purposes. Wirtz, who returned to the starting lineup against Arsenal after nursing a minor ankle injury sustained against Brighton—an issue that previously kept him out against Chelsea—remains a potent option off the bench alongside Isak. The technical staff has prioritized squad preservation ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, which serves as the final fixture before players depart for the November international break. Isak has already been called up to the Sweden national team for the upcoming international window.
Managing player availability has been a recurring theme for Iraola, who has navigated several fitness setbacks across his frontline. Both Isak and Cody Gakpo previously suffered injuries during international duty that sidelined them for key domestic fixtures, including a Premier League match against Manchester City at Anfield. The squad has also been working without striker Hugo Ekitike, while defender Jeremy Jacquet successfully returned to contention after being rested during France’s UEFA Nations League match against Belgium as a precautionary measure. With a demanding schedule across multiple competitions, Iraola’s reliance on squad depth highlights the balancing act required to sustain momentum in both Europe and the Premier League.
