Alexis Mac Allister injury latest as Arne Slot confirms Liverpool boost near

Alexis Mac Allister could be back in team training next week as the Liverpool midfielder looks to be closing in on a return to action.

The 26-year-old was one of a number of notable absentees from the Reds’ 4-2 friendly defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday, along with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, as well as Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo.

Unlike his fellow South Americans, there isn’t currently any doubt over Mac Allister’s future at Anfield, with the Argentine instead missing out as he continues his recovery from injury, having also missed the back end of last season’s Premier League title victory.

Mac Allister is yet to take part in any training sessions alongside his teammates this summer, having also missed friendlies against Preston and Stoke.

He has been seen out on the grass in Asia, though, raising hopes that he will soon make a return, and Arne Slot has confirmed Mac Allister may well be back with the rest of the squad next week as the Reds move on to Japan.

Asked whether there was a chance of Mac Allister rejoining his teammates in training soon, Slot replied: "That's the plan.

"He hasn't trained with the team yet but the plan is to train part of the session on Monday or Tuesday.

"I'm not sure if he can play minutes in the game [on Wednesday] already."

Next up for Liverpool is a friendly against Yokohama F Marinos, while a double header with Athletic Bilbao awaits back at Anfield on August 4, which may present Mac Allister with his opportunity to return to action.

From there, the Reds head to Wembley to take on Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on August 10, before the Premier League season kicks off on August 15 against Bournemouth.

Liverpool.com says: The sooner Liverpool can get Mac Allister back fit and playing, the better. The midfielder has become one of the most vital parts of the team over the last couple of seasons, and Slot will want him ready to start the new season.

He might just have to err on the side of caution for a while. We all saw last season how Andy Robertson struggled after not getting much of a pre-season, and you certainly wouldn’t want Mac Allister to be in that same position.

Hopefully all goes according to plan with his return to training and, if not on Wednesday, he can be back playing at Anfield next month.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.