Liverpool has 4 players missing for Burnley game as Alexis Mac Allister worry raised

Liverpool faces Burnley on Saturday as it resumes the race for the Premier League top four, although Arne Slot may have been handed a new concern ahead of the game

Alexis Mac Allister was absent from Liverpool training on Friday(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool will hope it hasn’t just been handed a new injury concern ahead of its game against Burnley on Saturday.

The Reds host Scott Parker’s side, aiming to strengthen their hold on the Premier League’s top four. Although they’re unbeaten in their last 11 games across all competitions, they sit just two points clear of their nearest rival at the moment, with Brentford, Newcastle, Manchester United, and Chelsea all within reach.

Arne Slot will hope his side can get back to winning ways after three straight draws in the league, although he will, of course, have to do so without some notable absentees.

Conor Bradley will have to sit out the rest of the season after undergoing surgery this week, having been stretchered off during the latter stages of last week’s goalless draw at Arsenal.

He joins another couple of long-term absentees on the sidelines, with Giovanni Leoni also expected to miss the remainder of the campaign after rupturing his ACL all the way back in September, while Alexander Isak is in the midst of a lengthy lay-off.

The striker is hoped to be able to return before the end of the season, having broken his leg in the process of scoring at Tottenham last month, but his absence will increase the workload on Hugo Ekitike up front.

Mohamed Salah remains away at AFCON despite Egypt's defeat to Senegal in the semi-finals(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool’s options in attack are further weakened by the continued absence of Mohamed Salah. Frustratingly, the winger remains away at the Africa Cup of Nations despite Egypt’s defeat to Senegal in the semi-finals, with his country facing Nigeria in a rather pointless third-place play-off tomorrow.

And adding to Liverpool’s worries is the absence of Alexis Mac Allister from training on Friday. The midfielder was notably missing from the pictures released by the club ahead of this weekend’s game, raising doubts over his involvement against Burnley.

No official word has been given on a potential injury problem for Mac Allister, and Slot didn’t mention any issue for him during his press conference, so it remains to be seen whether he will take his usual place in the squad tomorrow.

“It's a challenge because we play in the Premier League and the teams you are mentioning have very good teams as well,” Slot said about Liverpool’s top-four race.

“We haven't put ourselves in the most ideal position, especially if you compare it to where we were after six games. But the reality is we are competing with these teams at this moment in time for the fourth position, because Villa is having such a great season.

“Still a lot to play for us in the league because we all know how important that it is for any club – but definitely also for this club – to qualify for the Champions League. That didn't happen two or three years ago, I think, and that had a big impact financially on the club.

“We are aware of the importance of qualification for the Champions League but that's not only for us, that's for a lot of teams. We are also aware of the fact that the league is probably stronger than ever.

“That is something where we have to do really well in the league and, of course, there's the FA Cup and the Champions League to fight for as well.”