Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided an update on the injury suffered by midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool’s relentless start to their Premier League title defence continued at Turf Moor, but it came with fresh questions over the fitness of Alexis Mac Allister after the midfielder was substituted at half-time.
The Reds left it late to secure their fourth successive win of the campaign, Mohamed Salah holding his nerve from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to clinch a 1-0 victory. Yet much of the post-match conversation centred not on Salah’s decisive strike, but on the sight of Mac Allister failing to reappear for the second half.
The midfielder had looked sharp in patches during a scrappy first half but was also on the receiving end of a forceful challenge from Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu. Play was halted while Mac Allister received treatment, and although he carried on until the interval, he was clearly moving gingerly in the closing stages.
When the teams returned for the restart, Conor Bradley was on in his place, with Dominik Szoboszlai moving centrally to fill the midfield void. The reshuffle prompted fears that Liverpool’s No.10 had picked up a fresh knock, just days before a huge Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.
Arne Slot, however, offered a more nuanced explanation. Speaking afterwards, the Liverpool head coach revealed that Mac Allister’s substitution was the result of both fitness management and match context, rather than a straightforward injury.
“Not tactically, it was a bit of both,” Slot explained. “He missed a lot of pre-season. He is ready for one game a week, maybe 70–90 minutes. He played 90 for Argentina and was really tired after 70, so he doesn’t have the right build-up to play three games a week, 90 minutes.”
Slot admitted he had already mapped out a plan to withdraw Mac Allister early, but the need to replace Milos Kerkez before half-time changed the calculation.
“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 had already made one substitution in the first half,” he continued.
“If I take him off on 60 minutes then I would have to make another one, and then if I want to make changes on 75 I can do nothing anymore. That combined with the tackle that he felt. I’m not surprised by the fact he felt that tackle, by the way.”
The Dutchman also praised Mac Allister’s mentality, stressing that the player himself wanted to continue despite discomfort.
“He said it was fine and good enough to go on although he limped a lot,” Slot said. “That’s more his mentality, that he could actually perform at his best for 15 minutes longer.”
Ultimately, the manager described it as “a combination of him being injured, me not wanting to use a second substitution after 60 minutes, and us not playing so well. So bring Dom [Szoboszlai] into the midfield more, players who can attack the box – a lot of arguments and partly tactical.”
Mac Allister was not the only player withdrawn earlier than expected. Summer signing Milos Kerkez endured a difficult afternoon, booked for simulation and then giving away another free-kick with a clumsy challenge on Jaidon Anthony. Slot decided the risk of a second yellow was too great and replaced him with Andy Robertson after just 38 minutes.
“Not only the yellow card but afterwards, he played the ball – no foul at all – but the referee blew his whistle, which can happen in football,” said Slot. “But the reaction of the fans and I saw players of them trying to go to the referee implementing: ‘Hey, if you think this is a foul, maybe you should give a yellow for it’ which would have been ridiculous of course.”
The decision was vindicated as Robertson added calm and control on the left flank. Jamie Carragher, analysing the game, described it as “really good management.”
Liverpool now pivot to their Champions League campaign to face Atletico Madrid. Mac Allister’s availability will be closely monitored, though Slot’s comments suggested his half-time substitution was more about preservation than serious injury.
With Curtis Jones already sidelined and record signing Alexander Isak still short of full fitness, the Argentine’s role in midfield becomes even more crucial. Slot’s willingness to manage minutes and make bold in-game calls may prove decisive as Liverpool look to balance domestic and European ambitions.
