Alexis Mac Allister is treated during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool.
Alexis Mac Allister is treated during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool.
It was another late show for Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The Reds continued their 100 percent winning record this season against Burnley.
Mohamed Salah’s 95th-minute penalty was ultimately the difference between the two sides, with Liverpool’s patience paying off late in the game. The win ensures that Arne Slot’s men maintain their place at the top of the table, three points ahead of Arsenal, Tottenham and Bournemouth, who have all picked up nine points from their opening four games.
For Liverpool, eyes now turn to the new Champions League season. The Reds kick off their involvement in the competition on Wednesday night when they take on Atletico Madrid at Anfield (8pm kick-off).
With games starting to come thick and fast, player fitness will be a top priority. At the moment, there arentt too many concerns for Slot - here’s a look at the latest:
Alexis Mac Allister
The midfielder was withdrawn at half-time in the win over Burnley after receiving treatment in the first half following a tackle by Lesley Ugochukwu. It comes after he missed the end of last season through injury.
What Slot has said: “Not tactically, it was a bit of both. He missed a lot of pre-season. He is ready for one game a week, maybe 70-90 [minutes].
“He played 90 for Argentina and was really tired after 70 so doesn’t have the right build-up to play three games a week, 90 minutes.
“I was always sure I would take him off after 60 minutes for him to be ready to be back on the pitch on Wednesday and Saturday and I already made one substitution in the first half. If I take him off on 60 minutes then I would have to make another one then if I want to make changes on 75 I can do nothing anymore.
“That combined with the tackle that was a tackle that he felt. I’m not surprised by the fact he felt that tackle, by the way.
“It was a combination of both. He said it was fine and good enough to go on although he limped a lot. That’s more his mentality that he could actually perform at his best for 15 minutes longer.
“A combination of him being injured, me not wanting to use a second substitution after 60 minutes and us not playing so well, by the way, so bring Dom into the midfield more, players who can attack the box, so a lot of arguments.”
Potential return date: Vs Atletico Madrid (17 September)
Alexander Isak
The £125 million deadline day signing was not included in the squad vs Burnley due to a lack of match fitness, having not taken part in a full pre-season with Newcastle.
What Slot has said: "As everybody knew, he did not have any team training at Newcastle, then went to the national team and only played there for 15-20 minutes.
We think, with a week when we played three games in seven days, this is the best lead-up for him to be available against Atletico Madrid.
"That is always difficult to say. What I can say is, in a pre-season, after one or two weeks, you play your first 45-60 minutes and you build that up gradually.
"But you do that with proper training sessions during the week.
"Now we hardly have any proper training sessions with the team because we play three games in seven days."
Potential return date: Vs Atletico Madrid (17 September)
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Curtis Jones
The midfielder also missed the win over Burnley after picking up an injury during the Premier League clash against Liverpool before the international break.
What Slot has said: “Curtis Jones, of course, I don’t know if you knew, but he got injured in the last game.
“He will not be available for the game against Burnley, but I think the rest of them all came back without a problem and that is not always the situation.”