Liverpool have received a welcome boost ahead of their crucial Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday, with midfielder Alexis Mac Allister returning from injury for Argentina.
Mac Allister, 25, missed Liverpool’s last game before the international break due to a groin strain.
However, he started and played 66 minutes in Argentina’s comfortable 3-0 win over Bolivia on Tuesday, raising hopes that he will be available for manager Arne Slot this weekend.
This news is a significant positive for Liverpool, who face a daunting run of fixtures in the coming weeks.
Following the Chelsea encounter, they take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League, before a string of tough Premier League matches against Arsenal, Brighton (twice), Bayer Leverkusen, and Aston Villa.
While Mac Allister’s return is a positive development, Liverpool remain uncertain about the availability of another midfielder, Wataru Endo.
The Japanese international missed his country’s 1-1 draw with Australia due to illness, and Slot will be anxiously awaiting news on his recovery ahead of the Chelsea game.
Liverpool are also dealing with injuries to Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, and Alisson Becker. Chiesa missed the team’s final two games before the international break with a muscle problem, and his recovery timeline remains unclear.
Elliott is in the early stages of recovery from a foot fracture sustained during the international break, while Alisson is out until after November with a hamstring injury.
This opens the door for Caoimhin Kelleher to deputise for the Brazilian in goal, with the Irishman expected to start against Chelsea after recovering from a recent illness.