Liverpool midfielder out of international duty amid fitness caution

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Anfield Index

·5 June 2025

Liverpool midfielder out of international duty amid fitness caution

Mac Allister’s Argentina Absence Frustrates Player, But Suits Liverpool Just Fine

Midfielder left out to recover ahead of big campaign

Alexis Mac Allister may be angry about missing out on Argentina’s latest World Cup qualifiers, but Liverpool will be quietly delighted. The midfielder, who missed the final two games of the Premier League season with what Arne Slot called a “minor injury,” is now enjoying an extended break from competitive action, just when his legs need it most.

“Not being on the [squad] list infuriates me. Sometimes it’s a question I ask myself every day,” Mac Allister told TyC Sports.“But I’ve had some issues throughout the year. It’s not a major injury, it’s a minor one. But it’s better to rest before it gets worse.”

Fury on the surface, logic underneath

His frustration is understandable. At 26, and still in the prime of his international career, missing games for Argentina is not something any player takes lightly. But there’s a bigger picture. The World Cup is around the corner. And the last thing Lionel Scaloni or Arne Slot want is a key player breaking down in October after being overplayed in June.

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Photo: IMAGO

Mac Allister played 3,569 minutes last season, the fourth-most of any Liverpool player. He battled through knocks, fatigue, and tactical shifts, often carrying the burden in midfield. Slot’s decision to rest him for the final two matches once the title was secured was not only pragmatic, it was protective.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool benefit from enforced downtime

With pre-season starting on July 8, Liverpool have one of their most important players already deep into recovery mode. While others juggle international duty and transatlantic flights, Mac Allister will be fresh, focused and ready to lead again.

His absence from Argentina’s squad for matches against Chile and Colombia will sting. But if it prolongs his peak at club level, Liverpool will take that trade every time.

Photo IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This is exactly the kind of scenario that shows how far we’ve come in squad management under Arne Slot. We all love to see our players on the international stage, but not at the expense of their bodies or our Premier League ambitions.

Mac Allister was immense last season. There were games where he did the work of two midfielders — tackling, tracking, dictating. And while it’s easy to overlook his workload, 3,569 minutes in one campaign is no joke. He’s earned this rest.

His frustration about Argentina is natural. He’s a competitor. But we’ve seen too many players break down after long international stints and short summers. With the World Cup not far away, this enforced recovery could be perfect timing for both club and country.

By the time the first ball is kicked in pre-season, Mac Allister will be fresh. That’s a win for Liverpool — and a headache avoided for Slot in August.