Liverpool sweating on fitness of key midfielder ahead of Nottingam Forest

After an international break with Argentina filled with fitness problems, Alexis Mac Allister is now a doubt for the Reds’ Premier League return

According to Paul Joyce, the midfielder faces a fitness check after only feeling able to come on as a substitute in Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia last night.

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Following reports last week that Mac Allister arrived from Liverpool with some muscle problems, he competed for 79 minutes against Chile, scoring the opening goal, before being taken off with an injury.

In the days that followed over the weekend, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni then advised him to train separately from the other squad members to manage his muscle strain, a move that seemed nothing more than a precautionary measure.

Yesterday’s update before the Colombia game suggested that he would only be a part of the travelling squad as he was not fit enough to participate.

However, while he did not start, Mac Allister notched an injury-free 26 minutes off the bench and delivered one of Argentina’s standout performances in a disappointing result.

Alexis Mac Allister fitness concerns

While appearing in both of Argentina’s games this past week, a cautious approach may likely be taken with the midfielder, with fitness tests likely to be conducted by the club before Arne Slot makes any decisions.

In their post-match ratings following last night's Colombia match, La Nacion reported: "He made a clean entry into the game. He brought fresh energy to the midfield, even though the match was already disjointed and enveloped in a negative atmosphere due to the heat and humidity.

"His play was clear and tidy. Almost all of his passes had purpose and intent. He didn't have enough time to fully demonstrate his class, carrying the physical toll of a challenging season on his body."

Having started all three of Liverpool’s Premier League games so far this season, playing as an influential all-round No8 with the freedom to help out where necessary, it is clear that Slot will be tempted to play him.

But with such a long season ahead and as Curtis Jones is now another available midfield option, we may be limited to another short cameo from the Argentine or perhaps even a full game on the sidelines.

Liverpool face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with a sharp turnaround before the Reds travel to Milan for their opening Champions League game on Tuesday.