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Hugo Ekitike and Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool during a pre-season training session at Japan Football Association Yume on July 28 2025(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It may not have been the most immediately exciting sight amid the hustle, bustle and bright lights that have greeted Liverpool since their arrival in Japan.

But it was certainly one of the most encouraging among supporters.

As the Reds were put through their paces at the Japan Football Association headquarters in Tokyo on late Monday afternoon, among those involved was Alexis Mac Allister.

It was the first time the Argentina international midfielder had taken part in a full training session since his previous season was ended prematurely with two games remaining due to an undisclosed injury.

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Mac Allister's fitness has subsequently been an intriguing subplot of pre-season.

He hasn't featured since the 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal in mid-May, the 26-year-old sitting out the final two Premier League games while also missing Argentina's World Cup qualifying double header against Chile and Colombia in June.

The midfielder didn't appear in Liverpool's opening pre-season friendly at Preston North End nor the behind-closed-doors warm-up match against Championship side Stoke City at the AXA Training Centre the following week.

And while travelling as part of the squad for the Far East tour, he remained on the sidelines for the 4-2 defeat to AC Milan on Saturday in Hong Kong.

Monday, then, was a significant step in Mac Allister's rehabilitation having spent much of pre-season following an individual fitness programme.

Getting minutes into the legs will now be the priority, although Wednesday's clash against Yokohoma F Marinos could come too soon.

After that, though, Liverpool have only the double-header at home to Athletic Bilbao next Monday before the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley the following Sunday.

The champions will then open the new Premier League season at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15.

It leaves Mac Allister with precious few opportunities to build up match sharpness ahead of the competitive action beginning.

Having appeared in all bar three games for which he was available last season - and all of those were having been given a breather in cup competitions - Mac Allister will be once again expected to be a key figure under Arne Slot this coming season.

But the scrap for midfield roles will be fierce, particularly given the arrival of £116million Florian Wirtz that has made the new man favourite to be a regular in the number 10 role.

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Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones will now join Wataru Endo as primary challengers to the starting positions of Mac Allister and last season's partner Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield.

For good reason, though, has Mac Allister made the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award.

Liverpool and Slot will be hugely relieved their World Cup winner is back.


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