Softfootball reports that Liverpool manager Arne Slot has moved quickly to calm any concerns over Alexis Mac Allister after the midfielder was substituted at half-time during the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday.
The Argentina international went down following a late challenge from Lesley Ugochukwu in the first half and needed extended treatment. He carried on until the break but was replaced by Conor Bradley when the teams returned at Turf Moor.
When he was replaced, there was an outcry by Liverpool fans on social media, with some fearing the worst, but Liverpool quickly moved via the team’s official X handle to allay those fears.
They posted:
Speaking after the game in an interview published on the club’s official website, Slot revealed the decision was not only due to the knock but also linked to Mac Allister’s fitness levels and tactical considerations, just as the exemption of the latest shiny addition to the Reds’ setup, Aleksander Isak, was also tactical, although Isak just started training with the team and had little or no prior pre-season.
Arne Slot stated:
It is similar to Alex [Isak] but in a completely different way. He missed a lot of pre-season, so he is ready for one game a week, maybe [for] 70 to 90. He played 90 for Argentina and he was really tired after 70.He doesn’t have the right build-up towards playing three games a week for 90 minutes, so it was always sure today that I would take him off after 60 minutes for him to be able to be back on the pitch again on Wednesday and for him to be on Saturday back on the pitch again.
I had already made one substitution in the first half, so if I then take him off at 60 minutes that would be my second one. If I then want to make [another on] 75 then in end I can do nothing anymore. So, that combined with the fact the tackle was a tackle he felt – and I am not surprised by the fact he felt that tackle, by the way – it was a combination of both.
The Dutch coach admitted the knock was a factor but stressed Mac Allister himself felt able to continue.
He revealed:
He said it was fine and good enough to go on, although he limped a lot, so that was more his mentality I think than it was he could actually perform at his best for 15 minutes longer.So, the combination of him being injured and me not wanting to lose the second substitution after 60 minutes led to it – and us not playing so well, by the way. Bringing Dom [Szoboszlai] to the midfield, more players that can attack the box. So, a lot of arguments and [it was] partly tactical.
Slot described the call as a combination of caution, game management, and tactical reshaping. He confirmed the midfielder is expected to be available for Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid later this week.
The Reds left Turf Moor with another late win, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time penalty, maintaining their perfect start to the Premier League season.
