**Liverpool have potentially suffered an injury blow before Monday’s trip to Newcastle United, with one player not seen with his teammates.**
The Reds face a big challenge at St James’ Park on Monday evening, with the home crowd expected to be particularly ferocious because of the Alexander Isak situation.
For wrong or right, Newcastle feel wronged by Liverpool’s involvement in trying to sign the Swede, and they will be desperate to get the better of the Premier League champions.
Worryingly, Arne Slot is short at right-back for the game, with Jeremie Frimpong out injured with a hamstring problem until after the international break.
Meanwhile, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez may also not be involved, meaning Dominik Szoboszlai could need to be drafted in at right-back.
Now, [_This Is Anfield_](https://www.thisisanfield.com/2025/08/alexis-mac-allister-not-spotted-with-liverpools-21-man-squad-in-newcastle/) report that Alexis Mac Allister is a possible doubt for Monday’s match, having not been spotted getting off the team bus.
The update claims that the Argentine’s potential absence “could be due to the fact his partner Ailen is currently pregnant with their first child”.
**A possible huge loss for Liverpool**
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This is not what Liverpool fans will want to hear ahead of such an important Premier League game, even though Mac Allister’s absence hasn’t yet been confirmed.
The 26-year-old is such an influential performer for the Reds, combining technical class with an admirable work ethic, so not having him available would be a massive blow.
Ryan Gravenberch returns from suspension, which is a positive, but the Dutchman may be undercooked in terms of match fitness, so not having Mac Allister would leave Liverpool’s midfield feeling weaker than usual.
Assuming the Argentina World Cup winner is ruled out, Curtis Jones is the obvious choice to partner Gravenberch in a double pivot, with Florian Wirtz ahead of them in the No.10 role.
Hopefully, Mac Allister does end up playing at St James’, but either way, this is going to be an enormous early test of Liverpool’s mettle.
Victory would feel significant for the Reds, given what a tough assignment it is for Slot and his players, and a draw would arguably feel like a solid result, too.