Arne Slot has confirmed that Alexis Mac Allister will not be involved in Liverpool’s final Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Argentine midfielder was absent from the Reds’ 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Monday night and won’t return to action before the campaign ends. His last appearance came in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.
Speaking after the match at the Amex Stadium, Slot praised Mac Allister’s fighting spirit but explained that the 26-year-old needs time to rest and recover ahead of the new season.
“Alexis will not play for us this season anymore,” said the Liverpool head coach. “He needs rest at this moment in time to recover completely and to be ready for the start of next season, that will be no problem.”
Mac Allister, who joined from Brighton last summer, has played a key role in Liverpool’s title-winning season, making 49 appearances in all competitions, including 30 in the league.
Slot added:
“I think he played throughout the last part of the season with the Argentinian mentality that he has — never gives up, no matter what he feels. But it’s not smart to play a player that has not a big injury, but something to take a risk with.”
Although he won’t feature against Palace, Mac Allister is expected to be part of the post-match celebrations as Liverpool lift the Premier League trophy at Anfield.
