Liverpool host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend and Arne Slot has dropped a positive injury update ahead of the game.
The Merseysiders are back in action after the recent international break, with Forest making the trip to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool are understandable favourites to make it four wins in a row to start their season, with Arne Slot’s side yet to even concede a goal this season, seeing off Ipswich Town, Brentford and Manchester United in the process.
While injuries have been few and far between for the Reds of late, Harvey Elliott is a long-term absentee after suffering a fractured foot, while Alexis Mac Allister was forced off on Argentina duty.
Speaking to the press on Friday [via This Is Anfield], Slot suggested that Mac Allister will be fit for the Forest game, though, saying: “He was out in the last game but he trained with us yesterday. I’m expecting Macca to be with us tomorrow.”
Our thoughts on Slot’s update on Mac Allister…
Mac Allister has become one of Liverpool’s most influential players since arriving from Brighton last year, so news of him being available this weekend is a massive positive.
The 25-year-old has been fantastic in the opening three games of this season, averaging 2.7 tackles per game and forging a great understanding with Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield, and his versatility as both as a No.6 and a No.8 makes him a priceless figure.
Mac Allister’s ability to dictate midfield battles is so important to Slot, so suddenly not having him to call upon against Forest would immediately weaken Liverpool, even though they should still have enough quality to pick up all three points without him.
There is a potential chance that Slot could start the Argentina World Cup winner on the substitutes’ bench, should there be any concern about him being fatigued or not 100% fit, but the head coach’s comments suggest that he is in line to start.
Anything other than a win would feel like a real shock on Saturday, but Liverpool must make sure they don’t take Forest lightly, especially as performances straight after an international break can be disjointed.
