Alexis Mac Allister's involvement for Liverpool in Monday's Premier League clash against Newcastle United has been put into doubt following a viral video that emerged of the squad arriving in the north-east.
Mac Allister was not spotted coming off the team coach at what appeared to be the team hotel, raising concerns he has sustained a pre-match injury.
@ChiesaLFC posted the video on X, along with the caption: "Bradley with the team. No sign of Mac Allister unless the video didn’t pick him up."
Mac Allister has struggled with injuries throughout the summer, and missed the final games of last season and Argentina's World Cup qualifiers over June. He only returned to action on July 30 in the pre-season friendly win over Yokohama F. Marinos, but started the opening two matches of the new season.
Arne Slot hinted during Thursday's game that the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion man would be starting in midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch.
"With Macca being back, with Ryan in his normal position, I expect us to be even better prepared for the counter-attack," said the Liverpool head coach.
If Mac Allister is not involved, it is likely Dominik Szoboszlai will partner Gravenberch in the middle, and Florian Wirtz could operate again in the no.10 role.
While Mac Allister's potential absence would be a blow, the video's inclusion of Conor Bradley is a major boost.
The defender has not played for the Reds since that Yokohama game and injury forced him to sit out the Crystal Palace and Bournemouth matches.
Slot revealed the Northern Ireland international returned to training on Thursday and he could be line to start at right-back at St James Park following Jeremie Frimpong's hamstring injury.
However, given his lengthy layoff, lack of training and the general caution with Bradley's fitness, he may not be risked from the start against Newcastle.
Joe Gomez, who has also struggled with injuries and hasn't trained fully in the build-up to Monday's match, is another option at right-back. Wataru Endo could be deployed in that role if neither is deemed fit.
They are Liverpool's only injury concerns ahead of the game, while Newcastle does not have any players missing with knocks.
Alexander Isak is the only player missing due to his self-imposed exile from the Magpies' squad.