Alexis Mac Allister’s participation in Liverpool’s upcoming matches against Union SG and Man United was already uncertain after sustaining a knee injury during their 2-0 win over Sheffield United last week.
Despite continuing to play for nearly an hour post-treatment, the seriousness of the injury has raised concerns. Initially hopeful comments from Jurgen Klopp were replaced by a less optimistic view, indicating that the midfielder might miss the next three games.
Recent reports from Argentina, according to TyC Sports, indicate that extensive examinations ruled out ligament damage but revealed a significant impact, requiring around 15 days of recovery. Although externally the 24-year-old’s deep cut, needing two stitches, might seem minor, it poses a challenging injury to overcome.
If the recovery timeline holds, Mac Allister is expected to be absent from matches against Union SG (Dec 14), Man United (Dec 17), and the Carabao Cup clash with West Ham (Dec 20). Uncertainty remains about his availability for the games against Arsenal (Dec 23) and Burnley (Dec 26).
Despite discussions about his role, Mac Allister has been crucial for Liverpool this season, and managing his absence will necessitate careful consideration of alternative options like Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch.
To address squad depth, academy midfielder James McConnell, aged 19, could potentially make his full debut against Union SG on Thursday, demonstrating Liverpool’s commitment to nurturing young talents during challenging periods.
https://twitter.com/thisisanfield/status/1731750216338948379?t=KDYx1RBG-TCBCQosdARlaA&s=19
