Liverpool return on 20th October against Chelsea after a mid-season international break. The Premier League fixture will be on home soil at Anfield. With the return, Arne Slot will expect to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table.
However, Slot might need to improvise with backups as two players might not be available right away after a taxing international break.
Columbia winger Luis Díaz was substituted in the 78th minute against Bolivia. La Sele faced a shocker defeat to 10-man La Verde as the game ended 1-0 away from home.
Reports in Columbia are suggesting that the 27-year-old winger might not make it as Premier League returns on 20th October.
Colombia face Chile next at home on 15th October. It will take Díaz at least around 24 hours to make the trip from Colombia to Liverpool.
A jet lag means another day or two will be required for recovery. Looking at the decision to substitute Luis against Bolivia means the manager is looking forward to using him fully against Chile.
Two national team matches in under a week and then a return to the Premier League will be quite a toll for the Colombian winger. Arne Slot will only hope that Díaz comes unscathed and in shape to recover for the returning Premier League fixture.
Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister still on the sidelines
Alexis Mac Allister wasn’t fit enough to play in Argentina’s clash against Venezuela
Argentine international Alexis Mac Allister wasn’t fit enough to be involved in La Albiceleste’s recent match-up. Argentina played Venezuela away as the home side fought to a draw.
Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoresheet with a goal in the 13th minute. However, Venezuela’s Salomón Rondón made sure the lead didn’t last long and equalized in the 65th minute.
Whether Mac Allister will play in Argentina’s upcoming picture against Bolivia is uncertain. This has bigger implications at Anfield as Slot will hope that the international break will provide enough rest for the Argentine as he might not be involved further on-field.
Mac Allister was limping at the weekend clash against Crystal Palace. Liverpool came out with a narrow win as The Reds ended the match 1-0.
The midfielder has some issues in his groin area. The injury might resolve by the time he is back but the need for further assessment might arise if things don’t improve.
How bad it is, that’s difficult for me to judge at this moment. His injury is in the groin area.
-Arne Slot
