Liverpool are back in action for their first game of the season on Sunday as they compete in the annual Community Shield at Wembley.
Although the game does not count as an official trophy should the Reds beat Crystal Palace, it will be a good chance to further fitness ahead of the new campaign.
Liverpool completed their friendly calendar with a double-header against Athletic Club Bilbao at Anfield on Monday.
The two matches offered an opportunity for Arne Slot to get a look at his full Liverpool squad before they head down to the capital.
One notable point about Monday’s extravaganza was that Alexis Mac Allister was included in the ‘weaker’ team fielded during the first match.
Mac Allister has missed most of pre-season, playing only two games throughout the summer. And as the Community Shield comes into view, Slot was asked whether his No. 10 will be ready.
Alexis Mac Allister applauds fans during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Alexis Mac Allister set to play part in Community Shield
There was some great news for Mac Allister on Thursday as he was handed his first ever nomination for the Ballon d’Or.
Having been instrumental in Liverpool winning the Premier League last season, it was a deserved accolade for the Argentinian.
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Clearly, Slot would prefer to have him available for every big game possible, and when asked for an update on Mac Allister during his pre-match press conference, the Liverpool head coach confirmed he will play some part on Sunday.
“He will be in the squad, he was out for two months or longer I think, because we didn’t play him in the last four games of the season,” Slot answered.
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“He trained with us a week now, played 45 minutes so that’s not a situation you would play him for 90 minutes.
“Starting is possible but definitely not for 90 minutes.”
Joe Gomez not ready to return
There were four players missing from the two Liverpool squads on Monday: Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley.
Van Dijk was ruled out through illness and has since returned, while Alisson is back in training following a trip home to Brazil as his wife underwent surgery.
Ominously, there was no mention of Bradley and his return, but Slot did share a small update on Gomez, with the centre-back expected back ‘very soon.’
“You forget to mention Joe Gomez,” said the Dutchman, when asked if Liverpool are looking at transfer options in defence. “Unfortunately he has a minor injury at the moment but he will be back with the team very soon.
“So, we still have numerous options who can play there. But, what I always say, the same boring answer as with players that we might bring in or not, I’m really happy with the players we are having and we have numerous players who can play in that position.”