Arne Slot and Liverpool faced a minor injury concern overnight when it was revealed that one of their players missed a training session with his national team.
Most of Liverpool’s first-team squad is currently away on international duty, including Alexis Mac Allister, who has joined up with the Argentina squad.
Late on Tuesday night, journalist Gaston Edul reported on X that the 25-year-old didn’t participate in training with the world champions as they prepare for upcoming matches against Chile and Colombia.
He posted (translated from Spanish): “Alexis Mac Allister didn’t train due to muscle fatigue, but it’s expected that he will be ready for the match against Chile and play.”
So far, Slot has been fortunate to have nearly a fully-fit squad to choose from as Liverpool head coach, with Curtis Jones being the only player absent at the start of the season.
However, the September international break and a heavier fixture schedule over the next six weeks could test the team’s depth.
With the increasing demands on top-level footballers, muscle injuries have become more common.
Even if Mac Allister recovers in time for Argentina’s upcoming games, there will still be some anxiety about getting him back to Merseyside in top condition for Liverpool’s next match against Nottingham Forest in 10 days.
This autumn, Mac Allister, along with fellow South Americans Luis Diaz and Alisson Becker, and Japan’s Wataru Endo, will accumulate significant air miles during international breaks in October and November.
Darwin Nunez would also be traveling back and forth across the Atlantic if not for his recent ban related to incidents at the Copa America in July.
Slot will be watching every match involving a Liverpool player closely in the coming days, hoping that none of them suffer an injury that could limit their availability at the club level in the weeks and months ahead.
