Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister eases fears about a possible injury concern following his early substitution against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has eased fears about a possible injury concern following his early substitution against Crystal Palace.
The Argentine once again joined forces with the rejuvenated Ryan Gravenberch in the centre of the pitch at Selhurst Park, where Diogo Jota‘s strike propelled the Reds to a 1-0 win.
However, Mac Allister – who found the back of the net against Bologna in the Champions League in midweek – was then brought off at half time, as Dominik Szoboszlai saw out the second 45 minutes.
At the time, it was unclear whether Mac Allister’s withdrawal was for tactical or fitness reasons, but head coach Arne Slot confirmed that the midfielder had come off due to groin pain.
The Liverpool boss also poured doubt on whether Mac Allister would be able to link up with Argentina for the impending international period, although he suggested that he could have played through the pain if necessary.
Mac Allister plays down injury as “slight discomfort”
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The former Brighton & Hove Albion man took to social media after the game to issue a positive update, though, insisting that he was only suffering from a minor discomfort and suggesting that he would be fine to turn out for his country this month.
“Great win for the team today, these are the moments that make us stronger! I felt a slight discomfort during the game, but nothing that will stop me. Now fully focused on what’s ahead,” Mac Allister wrote.
The lynchpin seemingly has a good chance of keeping his spot in the Argentina squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia, although he will still need further assessment before any decision is made.
While Mac Allister has presumably escaped without a serious concern, the same cannot be said of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who appeared to pull his hamstring in the closing stages of the Palace victory.
The Brazilian shot-stopper slammed the turf in frustration before being withdrawn for debutant Vitezslav Jaros, and his reaction suggested that he would be sidelined for at least a handful of games.
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Slot admitted that it could be “a few weeks” before Alisson returns, meaning that the 32-year-old could miss blockbuster clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal before the end of the month.
Jaros stepped in for Alisson on Saturday due to Caoimhin Kelleher‘s absence through illness, but the Irishman should be fit and firing again for his country during the international break.
Which other Liverpool players are out injured?
Liverpool were only without another two players due to injury in the victory over Palace, as summer signing Federico Chiesa sat out the game with the knock he picked up before the Champions League win over Bologna.
Harvey Elliott is still on the mend from a foot fracture too, and the England Under-21 international – who has been left out of the Young Lions’ squad for this month’s fixtures – may not be back until the end of October.
Liverpool’s narrow win over Palace keeps them one point clear of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table, as Slot made it nine wins from 10 games in all competitions.
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