Arne Slot responds to Alexis Mac Allister scare after Liverpool substitution - 'I’m not surprised'

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Virgil van Dijk talks with referee Michael Oliver whilst Alexis Mac Allister is down injured during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on September 14, 2025 (Image: MB Media/Getty Images)

Arne Slot has allayed injury fears about Alexis Mac Allister but conceded Liverpool are still having to manage the midfielder carefullty.

The Argentine was withdrawn at half-time in the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Burnley.

The 26-year-old had completed 90 minutes for Argentina in midweek, but is still feeling his way back after missing the end of last season through injury and spending three months on the sidelines before returning in pre-season.

Mac Allister was on the receiving end of a nasty tackle from Lesley Ugochukwu in the first half at Turf Moor, with Slot admitting it did contribute to the midfielder’s withdrawal.

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But he downplayed fears of injury as he explained the reasoning behind the change.

“Not tactically, it was a bit of both.

“He is ready for one game a week, maybe 70-90 [minutes].

“He played 90 for Argentina and was really tired after 70 so doesn’t have the right build-up to play three games a week, 90 minutes.

“I was always sure I would take him off after 60 minutes for him to be ready to be back on the pitch on Wednesday and Saturday and I already made one substitution in the first half.

“If I take him off on 60 minutes then I would have to make another one then if I want to make changes on 75 I can do nothing anymore.

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“That combined with the tackle that was a tackle that he felt.

I’m not surprised by the fact he felt that tackle, by the way.

“It was a combination of both.

That’s more his mentality that he could actually perform at his best for 15 minutes longer.

“A combination of him being injured, me not wanting to use a second substitution after 60 minutes and us not playing so well, by the way, so bring Dom into the midfield more, players who can attack the box, so a lot of arguments.”