Arne Slot
Image Credits: Getty Images
Arne Slot has confirmed that one Liverpool player will not feature for the Reds again this season.
The Liverpool manager, whose side fell to their second defeat in the last two games on Monday, revealed that one of his key players has played his last game for the club this season.
A much-changed Liverpool team was beaten 3-2 by Brighton on Monday. With nothing on the line, having wrapped up the Premier League title weeks ago, Slot decided to field a much-changed starting XI that featured some fringe players, while handing out rare rests to some key players.
For example, Virgil van Dijk, who had played every minute of the Reds’ Premier League matches this season, was not included in the starting XI. In his place, Slot played Jarell Quansah alongside Ibrahima Konate.
Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott was handed a rare start in midfield, while Federico Chiesa was part of the three-man attack for the game, alongside Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Gravenberch, who is among players with the most minutes in the Premier League this season, also started the game.
But the likes of Luis Diaz, Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson, who have all played their part in Liverpool’s Premier League success this season, also dropped to the bench.
However, there was no space on the bench or the Matchday squad for midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
The Argentina international did not travel with the squad to the Amex. He was also restricted to substitute appearances in the recent encounters with Chelsea and Arsenal.
And during his post-match press conference, Arne Slot revealed his reason for omitting the midfielder.
The Liverpool boss detailed how Mac Allister is being afforded rest to overcome a fitness issue in order to be ready for the start of 2025-26 and, therefore, will not figure against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The head coach said, “Alexis will not play for us this season anymore. He needs rest at this moment in time to recover completely and to be ready for the start of next season, but it will be no problem for him to be back next season.
“I think he played throughout the last part of the season with the Argentinian mentality he has. Never gives up, no matter what he feels, but it is not smart to play a player who has not had a big injury but something to take a risk with.”
Mac Allister has played 49 times for Liverpool this season, scoring seven times and providing six assists.
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