Mac Allister has postponed trip to India in a boost for Liverpool

With Argentina’s World Cup qualification already completed, the team was due to travel to Angola and India for friendly matches, but the latter was postponed.

Manager Lionel Scaloni’s side planned to visit Kochi, India, for a match following their 2-0 win over Angola.

However, this was postponed last month, with sponsor Anto Augustine providing an explanation (via India Outlook): “Given the delay in obtaining permission from FIFA, it has been decided, after consultation with the Argentine Football Association, to postpone the match from the November period.”

While Australia opted to play Colombia in New York instead, Argentina did not host another match, meaning Mac Allister has played one fewer game than many of his Liverpool teammates during this international window.

While the 26-year-old played another 85 minutes in Angola, it will no doubt be seen as a small boost for Liverpool that he avoided an extra match day.

Often easily bypassed in midfield, Mac Allister has looked a shadow of his previous self this season but has started to show signs of life again in recent games.

Against Aston Villa and in the 1-0 win over Real Madrid, against whom he scored the only goal, the Argentinian’s spark returned with more matches won and more chances created.

At 26, we shouldn’t write off Mac Allister as someone who has lost his legs.

It has been clear at times throughout his career that his grueling international travels across the Atlantic have had an impact on his performance.

Jurgen Klopp has recognized this and now Arne Slot will also have to learn to adapt.

With Curtis Jones in good form, the coach left out Mac Allister against Brentford and Eintracht Frankfurt, giving him the rest he needed.

Returning to the 4-3-3 of last year against Villa and Madrid also helped, with more support alongside Mac Allister in midfield rather than just one other.

Slot said in October: “One thing is clear: unfortunately he missed a lot.

“That led to him not being able to play three times in a row, so he went in, out, in, out, 60 minutes, 45 minutes. And that’s never an ideal scenario for a player.”

“But like all the others, he is a player who has been through so much in his career, so he will be back at the level he wants and the level I expect from him.”