Why Alexis Mac Allister was not risked for Argentina as Liverpool benefit – Liverpool FC

Alexis Mac Allister was an unused substitute for Argentina’s 3-0 win over Venezuela on Thursday night, with the decision likely to benefit Liverpool.

Mac Allister is yet to play 90 minutes this season after a lengthy injury over the summer and a setback which ruled him out against Newcastle last month.

Instead the midfielder has been eased back in, and despite starting against Bournemouth and Arsenal so far in the Premier League he was withdrawn in both games – after just an hour in the latter.

His non-involvement in Argentina’s first World Cup qualifier of the September break should therefore be considered a helpful boost.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had already ruled Mac Allister out of starting contention for the clash with Venezuela on Thursday night after his late arrival due to Sunday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.

But while the 26-year-old was named on the bench, the decision was made not to risk him at all, with Scaloni instead experimenting in midfield.

It came on a night that saw Lionel Messi score twice in what could have been his final game on home soil, with striker Lautaro Martinez adding another in a 3-0 victory.

Mac Allister is likely to feature in the clash with Ecuador on Tuesday night but Liverpool’s medical staff will be grateful he was not needlessly risked due to his long-term injury situation.

Elsewhere on Thursday night, Alisson kept a clean sheet as Brazil – already qualified for the World Cup, like Argentina – cruised to a 3-0 win over Chile.

Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo all started as the Netherlands drew 1-1 with Poland, while Giorgi Mamardashvili endured a tough night as Georgia lost 3-2 to Turkey.

Florian Wirtz also struggled with Germany losing an away World Cup qualifier for the first time, 2-0 to Slovakia, with Conor Bradley‘s Northern Ireland moving to the top of their group as they beat Luxembourg 3-1.

Friday will see as many as seven Liverpool players in action for their national teams, including Alexander Isak as Sweden take on Slovenia.