Alexis Mac Allister has joined up with the Argentina squad despite coming off in Liverpool’s Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Sunday
Alexis Mac Allister has been one of Liverpool’s standout players of their impressive start to the season. It came as a concern, then, to Arne Slot and supporters when the Argentina international was forced off at half-time in the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday that kept the Reds top of the Premier League table.
Afterwards Liverpool head coach Slot was unable to confirm how serious the injury was. 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.”
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Mac Allister eased those concerns later on the evening when he said on social media: “I felt a slight discomfort during the game, but nothing that will stop me. Now fully focused on what’s ahead.”
What’s ahead for the 25-year-old is a World Cup qualifying double header against Venezuela and Bolivia after linking up with Lionel Scaloni’s squad in Miami, where Argentina are based before travelling to Venezuela.
However, it has now emerged that Mac Allister is a doubt for the first of those two games, at the Maturin Monumental Stadium on Thursday (10pm kick-off).
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.”
The reigning world champions are using Inter Miami’s facilities in Fort Lauderdale before they travel for their first match against Venezuela.
West-central Florida though is currently bracing itself for Hurricane Milton. Miami mayor Francis Suarez has declared a state of emergency for the city on Monday due to potential heavy rain and flooding.
Argentina is monitoring the path of the hurricane, which strengthened into a Category 5 storm on Monday, as it threatens to disrupt their travel plans. Forecasters have predicted it will approach the Gulf Coast of Florida on Wednesday, the same day the team plans to travel to Venezuela.
Liverpool return to action on Sunday, October 20 when they welcome Chelsea to Anfield.
