Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has provided an update on the fitness of Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, leaving fans with some concerns.
Mac Allister has been one of Liverpool’s standout players during their impressive start to the season.
Therefore, it was concerning for both manager Arne Slot and Liverpool supporters when the Argentine international was forced off at half-time in the Reds’ 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
After the match, Liverpool boss Slot expressed uncertainty about the severity of the injury, stating that further assessments would be needed before determining how long Mac Allister might be sidelined.
He said: “How bad it is, that’s difficult for me to judge at this moment.
“He could have continued playing as you saw because it didn’t happen one second before half-time.
“But he felt it a bit too much and said he doesn’t think it’s too good to keep on playing because you never know, he might make it worse.
“What is the exact situation – can he go to Argentina, can he go and play over there?
“That’s difficult for me to tell you now.
“His injury is in the groin area.”
Alexis Mac Allister alleviated those concerns later that evening with a message on social media.
He said: “I felt a slight discomfort during the game, but nothing that will stop me.
“Now fully focused on what’s ahead.”
The 25-year-old is set to face a World Cup qualifying doubleheader against Venezuela and Bolivia after joining Lionel Scaloni’s squad in Miami, where Argentina is preparing before travelling to Venezuela.
However, it has now emerged that Mac Allister is doubtful for the first of those two matches, scheduled for Thursday at the Maturin Monumental Stadium (10 PM kick-off).
This update comes as bad news for Reds boss Slot, who will be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker until at least after the next international break.
Argentina boss Scaloni said: “Alexis is training differently.
“Let’s see if he is ready for the first game.
“For now he has not been able to train with us and we will make the decision if he is part of the squad or the bench, but today it is difficult for him.
“I think we have to take care of him.
“He is a boy who comes with a lot of games and today the situation is like this.”
Scaloni added: “We work, we work calmly, the truth is that the training place is perfect, we work well, but it is always around this issue and especially when there is the security issue, it is a delicate issue.
“The match is important, but safety is much more important.
“So when you talk about wind, hurricanes, that it happens near, that it happens far away, that the airport closes, well, whether you like it or not, it worries you.
“We are worried and we are waiting to see if it is true that we can leave tomorrow, they say that we will be able to leave in the afternoon.
“We don’t have any certainties, but well, on that side we are worried.”
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