Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been discussing his team's availability ahead of the match with AS Monaco, with a return for Alexis Mac Allister now set.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford
Alexis Mac Allister is set to return to Liverpool soon(Image: Getty)
Andoni Iraola has revealed that Alexis Mac Allister will make his return to Liverpool next week, as he prepares to take his side into Sunday's clash with AS Monaco.
The midfielder has yet to make his way back to the AXA Training Centre after a long 2025/26 campaign that only ended last month with his participation in the World Cup with Argentina.
The 27-year-old started nearly every game for his nation, as they made it all the way to the final, only to lose to Spain in extra time to bring the hopes of consecutive triumphs to an end.
After a tough campaign, Mac Allister finally got to have a rest, but just as soon as his season had ended, preseason for Liverpool had started.
The Reds went on a preseason tour of the US, which featured three games and a mixture of senior players and academy stars at Iraola's disposal.
Other players have started to make their return from the World Cup break, including Victor Munoz, who was involved in Spain's run to the final, although he didn't play a minute for the side.
Aside from the injured stars, Mac Allister is the only player that Liverpool is left waiting on, as Iraola announced a guaranteed return date for the midfielder.
He told Liverpool's media team: "We now have virtually our entire squad together, which of course will be very important in the coming days and weeks.
"Victor Munoz, our new signing, joined us at AXA this week having been part of the Spain squad which won the FIFA World Cup last month, as did Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Alisson Becker.
“Alexis Mac Allister, the last of our World Cup players, will link up with us on Monday, also."
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It's a huge boost for the manager, who has been thin on options so far in his short tenure, with the midfielder likely to at least feature against Como in the final preseason match next week before the season gets underway.
It is also a boost considering the doubts that have been circulating around the future of Mac Allister, who is now into the final two years under contract with the Reds.
Those doubts were not eased by Dominik Szoboszlai claiming "if" Mac Allister returns to preseason, with the midfielder later clarifying that the star would in fact be back for Liverpool this summer.
"That's my English, guys. It's not 'if' - it's 'when' he comes back," Szoboszlai claimed. "So now I make it clear. He's coming back, and he's going to be part of the team as much as I know."
There will be hope that the midfielder returns with the form he found in the World Cup, which could make him a key part of the season ahead for Iraola.