Liverpool have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their highly-anticipated Merseyside derby against Everton, with midfielder Alexis Mac Allister ruled out of the match due to suspension.
Mac Allister picked up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season during Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle United, and as a result, he will serve a one-match ban.
“Ashley Young is a true professional, and his dedication to the sport is an inspiration to us all,” said Liverpool manager, Arne Slot. “However, we will have to do without Alexis Mac Allister for the Everton game, which is a big blow for us.”
The absence of Mac Allister means that Liverpool may be without seven players for the derby match. Ibrahima Konate (knee) and Conor Bradley (hamstring) are ruled out for several weeks, while Kostas Tsimikas (ankle) is still unavailable. Alisson Becker is not being rushed back from the hamstring issue that has kept him out for two months, and Diogo Jota has been unavailable for a similar period with a rib injury.
Federico Chiesa, who has been struggling with injury issues since his arrival from Juventus in the summer transfer window, made a quiet playing return for Liverpool’s under-21s in a 4-3 loss to Nordsjaelland in the Premier League International Cup. Chiesa played for 61 minutes, and his fitness may not be assessed as to whether he’s available to be part of the match-day squad for the clash against Everton.
“Alexis Mac Allister’s suspension is a big blow for us, but we have to adapt and find a way to win without him,” said Slot. “We have a strong squad, and I’m confident that we can get a good result against Everton.”
The Merseyside derby is always a highly-anticipated match, and this season’s encounter promises to be just as exciting. With Liverpool looking to bounce back from their draw against Newcastle, and Everton seeking to cause an upset, the stage is set for a thrilling match.
“We’re looking forward to the derby match against Everton,” said Slot. “It’s always a special game, and we’re excited to get out there and give it our all.”
As Liverpool prepare to take on their arch-rivals, they will be without one of their key players. However, with a strong squad and a determined mindset, they will be looking to overcome the absence of Mac Allister and secure a vital win.
“It’s not ideal to be without Alexis Mac Allister, but we have to deal with it,” said Slot. “We’ll work together as a team and find a way to win without him.”
