Liverpool might count themselves lucky after what Alexis Mac Allister did while on international duty – opinion
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The international break really is a hotly-contested topic and Liverpool may have found another reason to loathe it.
The Reds have had the perfect start to the season in terms of results after winning three from three, doing so without a fully fit squad.
With that said, the World Cup qualifiers may have come at a good time for Liverpool so they can get as many players fit as possible, but there is also a risk that more come back on the treatment table.
Alexis Mac Allister is one player who has been in and out of the side all summer, with the midfielder struggling with injuries.
Despite this, Argentina still took him with them for their matches, something Liverpool were probably not best pleased with.
And, if they were unhappy with it, they will be left even more angry over the treatment of their midfield maestro, with the Reds likely feeling very lucky.
Photo by RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images
The one problem for an English team having South American players is that when it comes to international duty, they have thousands of miles to travel.
So, if it can be avoided, Liverpool would love if as many of their players from this corner of the globe could stay at home if they can, and in Mac Allister’s case, he very well could have.
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However, Argentina insisted on taking him but during their first game against Venezuela, the Liverpool midfielder stayed on the bench for the full duration of the game.
The reason for this was because Mac Allister was ‘not 100 per cent fit’, leaving many to wonder why they even took him in the first place.
The reason why was proven on Tuesday night, though, as ‘Macca’ played the full game during their 1-0 defeat to Ecuador, his first 90 minutes since May.
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Not only would Liverpool be fuming due to that being a huge risk as his minutes need to be managed, but Argentina had already qualified for the World Cup, meaning the result was largely irrelevant anyway.
He was part of a midfield three during this contest yet was the only one of the trio not to be substituted, but luckily he managed to escape any injury despite the number of big tackles flying in.
If Mac Allister played in Argentina’s first game of the international break, he may have stood a chance of playing against Burnley as he would have had over a week to recover.
But now, he has less than four days to rest after his first 90 minutes of the season, with Arne Slot likely to start him on the bench now to avoid any risk.
With the Champions League starting for Liverpool just three days after as well, Mac Allister will likely be spared so he can play in this, especially as it is a big game against Atletico Madrid.