Arne Slot has issued an important injury update on Alexis Mac Allister, following Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 win away to Newcastle United.
The Reds were far from their best on Monday evening, blowing a two-goal against a 10-man Magpies side, but they got the job done in unforgettable fashion.
Rio Ngumoha became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history, bagging the winner in the 100th minute at St James’ Park.
Mac Allister was much-missed for the Reds, having been ruled out through injury, but speaking after the game [via Sports Mole], Slot said he was hopeful that the Argentine would be back for Sunday’s visit of Arsenal.
“We are hoping [he will be available], yes,” Slot said.
“He had to leave the training pitch two days ago and that would not even be the biggest problem if he would have had a proper pre-season, but he missed out for so many weeks.
“There is a reason why you go inside, because you probably feel something, and that is the difficult balance to find with players that were out for so long in pre-season.
“There you bring the base for the whole season and you can see these intensity levels, like we faced last week and this topped it up 10 times, I think.
“Then you need to be so, so, so fit and then it is always a risk if you bring a player that had a pre-season like this, had to go out two days ago in a training session, in this environment.
“With such a long season to go, it was too much of a risk for me but I am hoping, hoping things in the upcoming one or two days so that he is available for Sunday.”
Liverpool desperately need Mac Allister back this weekend
Mac Allister was a big miss against Newcastle, with his intelligence and control in the midfield making Liverpool look a completely different team.
Sunday’s clash with Arsenal is a big early-season moment in the Premier League title race, and the World Cup winner’s class will be badly needed alongside Ryan Gravenberch.
Mac Allister may not always look like the standout player on the pitch, but he does his job with such ease, and his quality both in and out of possession makes him one of Liverpool’s most important players.