Alexis Mac Allister has struggled for fitness and form over the past six months but the Liverpool midfielder is unlikely to be rested when Argentina face Puerto Rico.
Mac Allister’s absence at the back end of last season came due to a series of niggling injuries – and it is safe to say the 26-year-old is yet to catch up.
One of the most important players for Arne Slot‘s debut campaign, he has started regularly this term but rarely performed to the high standard he had already set.
That comes with a lingering concern over his long-term fitness, which is not aided by his continued involvement with Argentina.
TyC Sports claims that Mac Allister is expected to start when Lionel Scaloni’s side face Puerto Rico – ranked 155th in the world – in a friendly in the United States on Tuesday night.
His inclusion would be worrying on two levels, firstly as the fixture – kicking off at 1am UK time – will be the latest any of Slot’s internationals will play during the break.
And secondly it will see the midfielder exposed further in a game with nothing riding on it, at a time when he would arguably benefit from a rest.
Scaloni’s hand is forced somewhat due to injury to Enzo Fernandez, but the Argentina manager still has a number of options for his midfield.
Liverpool are already facing two new concerns in their midfield ranks with Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo dealing with minor hamstring issues.
Stefan Bajcetic is also working his way back after undergoing hamstring surgery in May, meaning Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones are Slot’s only fully fit senior midfielders at present.
Jones was one of few Liverpool players to enjoy an injury-free break this month having been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
That could suggest that the 24-year-old will start in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Man United at Anfield, likely alongside Gravenberch if fit and with one of Wirtz or Szoboszlai further forward.
The champions were dealt with a similar issue when it came to Mac Allister’s involvement with Argentina last month.
Scaloni admitted his midfielder was “not 100 percent fit” but duly played him for the full 90 minutes of a 1-0 loss to Ecuador which saw outlet Bolavip describe him as “physically diminished.”
That remains the only time in which Mac Allister has played a full game for club or country since April 20.
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