Why isn’t Alexis Mac Allister playing for Liverpool against Arsenal in the Premier League?

Most soccer leagues around the world take a break either side of Christmas, but that’s famously not the case in England, where Premier League fixtures come thicker and faster and ever. The bulk of matchdays 18, 19 and 20 all take place in the last week of December, with Liverpool against Arsenal on Saturday 23 December the stand-out fixture.

Liverpool and Arsenal challenging Manchester City

Manchester City have dominated the English top flight in terms of titles in recent seasons, winning four of the last five. But they haven’t been on top form in the early part of the 2023-24 campaign, which has given several other clubs hope it could be their year. The Reds and The Gunners appear to be City’s main challengers and go into the clash at Anfield four and five points ahead of last season’s champions respectively.

A Liverpool victory will see them top the table at Christmas, while Arsenal only need to avoid defeat to hang onto first place. Jürgen Klopp’s side have been in formidable form at home this season, winning 12 of 13 matches in all competitions, scoring 40 goals along the way. But they were held by a struggling Manchester United team in their last game at Anfield and have recently seen their midfield disrupted by an injury to summer signing Alexis Mac Allister.

What injury does Alexis Mac Allister have?

Since joining the Merseysiders from Brighton, the Argentine World Cup-winning midfielder has started every Premier League game when fit this season, although Klopp hasn’t been able to call upon him since 2-0 win away to Sheffield United on 6 December.

Mac Allister was forced off just before the hour mark at Bramall Lane, suffering a deep cut on his right leg which has proved worse than was first feared. Klopp revealed an opponent had “stepped on his knee and the stud went through pretty much the muscle onto the bone”, an injury he had never seen before.

When will Mac Allister be back for The Reds?

In his pre-match press conference before the Gunners clash, the German said Mac Allister, as well as attacker Diogo Jota, were “getting closer and closer but not ready”. Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders had earlier claimed there would be a chance the midfielder could be available for the game against at home to Newcastle United on 1 January, although he stopped short of making any guarantees.

Robertson and Jota also miss Arsenal fixture

Joël Matip, Andy Robertson and Thiago, as well as youngsters Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak, join Mac Allister and Jota on the sidelines, although Ryan Gravenberch is expected to return to face Arsenal after missing the midweek Carabao Cup thrashing of West Ham.