Liverpool BOOST as star returns on night of an absolute MASTERCLASS | OneFootball

Alexis Mac Allister returned to action last night in another noteworthy edition of the Lionel Messi Show.

The Liverpool man played 66 minutes as Argentina batted Bolivia aside 6-0 in CONMEBOL World Cup qualification.

Mac Allister had missed Argentina’s previous game as an injury risk, following his removal at half-time during Liverpool’s last game against Crystal Palace.

Argentina’s rain-soaked 1-1 draw with Venezuela was the fifth game since 2021 that Argentina didn’t win, all of which Mac Allister didn’t play the full 90 in.

It came as no surprise, then, that Argentina put out an electric display in his return to the side.

Argentinian outlet TyC Sports gave Mac Allister a 6/10 rating for the game, saying: “It was not a match in which he could shine, but he improved and entered the area more in the second half.”

But it was less that Mac Allister couldn’t shine and more that he didn’t particularly need to. He did exactly what he does best, ensuring that Bolivia couldn’t move down his left side of the pitch with any freedom and facilitating the rest of the attack to do their jobs.

Lionel Messi did exactly that, scoring another hat trick for his country and getting two assists as well in an absolute masterclass.

Mac Allister also had a fine shot saved whilst Argentina were already 3-0 up, capitalising on a poor interception as Messi tried to play Lautaro Martinez in. He took it first time aiming for the keeper’s top right corner, but Bolivian shot-stopper Guillermo Vascara was equal to it.

Alexis Mac Allister makes return

Whilst 66 minutes of action for Mac Allister is a positive, it does present a significant injury risk following his reported inability to even train with the team ahead of their game with Venezuela last week.

The midfielder has taken both of the international breaks this season relatively easy due to recurring injury problems.

With a crucial period of Liverpool’s season upcoming, including games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa, Mac Allister’s health will be crucial to Arne Slot’s men being the contenders they appear to be right now.

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