Alexis Mac Allister has only played one game for Argentina in this international break, due to the postponement of a planned trip to India.
With Argentina’s World Cup qualification already wrapped up, the team were set to travel to Angola and India for friendlies, but the latter was postponed.
Manager Lionel Scaloni’s side had been planning to visit Kochi, India for a match following their 2-0 win over Angola.
However, this was postponed last month with sponsor Anto Augustine explaining (via Outlook India): “Considering the delay in receiving FIFA’s permission, after discussions with the Argentine Football Association, it has been decided to postpone the match from the November window.”
While Australia chose to play Colombia in New York instead, Argentina didn’t organise another fixture, meaning Mac Allister has played a match fewer than many of his Liverpool teammates during this international window.
While the 26-year-old still played 85 minutes in Angola, it will no doubt be seen as a small boost to Liverpool that he avoided an extra matchday.
Often bypassed easily in midfield, Mac Allister has looked a shadow of his previous self this season but has begun to show signs of life again in recent outings.
Against Aston Villa and in the 1-0 win over Real Madrid, against whom he got the only goal, the Argentine’s spark returned with more duels won and more chances created.
At 26 years old, we shouldn’t be writing Mac Allister off as having lost his legs.
It has been evident at times in his career that his gruelling international trips across the Atlantic have had an impact on his performances.
Jurgen Klopp came to acknowledge this and now Arne Slot will have to learn to adapt also.
With Curtis Jones in good form, the coach left Mac Allister out against Brentford and Eintracht Frankfurt, allowing him the rest he required.
Returning to last year’s 4-3-3 against Villa and Madrid also helped, with more support alongside Mac Allister in midfield rather than just one other.
Speaking in October, Slot said: “One thing that is clear is that he missed out on a lot, unfortunately.
“That led to the fact that he wasn’t able to play three times in a row, so he went in, out, in, out, 60 minutes, 45 minutes. And that’s never an ideal scenario for a player.
“But like all the others he’s a player that has experienced so many things in his career already, so he will be back at the level he wants and the level I want from him.”
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