Alexis Mac Allister is back in contention for the first time after serving a ban across two competitions as Liverpool take on Southampton in the Carabao Cup
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Alexis Mac Allister is back available for Liverpool selection following suspension.
(Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has dropped a potential team news hint ahead of Wednesday night's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton. The Argentine has been suspended for the Reds in their last two outings, including the Champions League win over Girona.
Mac Allister was forced to sit out of the qualification-clinching triumph in Spain after exceeding the threshold of yellow cards, picking up a third booking against Real Madrid. He also earned a suspension for the Premier League after he was booked for the fifth time during the dramatic draw with Newcastle United.
That caution came two weeks ago and the 25-year-old was scheduled to return to the frame for Saturday's encounter with Fulham. However, the postponement of the Merseyside derby means Mac Allister hasn't featured for the Reds in 14 days.
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Mac Allister dropped a hint on his social media channels, posting a graphic previewing the last-eight cup tie. As is usual in modern football, players take to their respective platforms to post graphics or videos in the build-up to matches.
Post on Instagram from Alexis Mac Allister.
Post on Instagram from Alexis Mac Allister.
Needless to say, this could just be someone running their accounts for them, posting regardless of whether they are going to be involved or not. But his post comes during a time where he could need competitive minutes with an ideal opportunity presented, following Arne Slot's comments.
The Dutchman issued a cryptic message in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday as he alluded to the fact that he will be forced to rotate his squad. Liverpool are currently enduring a difficult run of injuries and suspensions with Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas injured, with the Greek returning to training this week, while Andy Robinson will serve his suspension for the St Mary's trip.
"It’s definitely a moment where he (Chiesa) can get minutes," the Reds boss confirmed. "The amount of minutes is a question mark.
“You cannot expect him to play 90, especially not at this level where the intensity is so high because he has been out for five or six months now. But he will, if he has a good training session, he will get minutes.
"But it’s going to be a game where not all of our starters will start so we have to manage minutes. If we want to use a few starters, it will not be for 90 minutes, so we have to balance.
"I can only make five substitutions. The ones that get minutes and go off, maybe at half-time, can’t be more than five as you can only make five substitutions.
"He will make minutes, Federico, tomorrow. If he starts or comes in to play the second half, that’s something we have to make a decision about during today."