Controversy as manager CONFIRMS Liverpool star will play despite real fitness concern

One manager has confirmed a controversial decision as he intends to play a Liverpool star who isn't 100 per cent fit. Not what the Reds wanted to hear.

Alexis Mac Allister hasn't started the season regularly for Liverpool. He's featured for just 131 minutes across the first three games, coming off with half an hour to go against Arsenal in the most recent fixture.

Mac Allister picked up a slight problem in Liverpool's final training session ahead of the Community Shield. That then kept him out of the XI for the showpiece, while he didn't start the Premier League opener, either.

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He's still not entirely fit and it appeared that Argentina were recognising that by not playing Mac Allister against Venezuela. The midfielder remained on the bench for the entirety - exactly what Liverpool wanted to see.

And Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni admitted in a press conference ahead of their next fixture against Ecuador that Mac Allister isn't 100 per cent fit, per ESPN. However, he also described the player as 'fine' and ready to play in the match.

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Mac Allister set to play

It's a controversial move from Scaloni here. This is right at the start of the season and you'd think every precaution would be taken.

Sweden, for instance, were extra careful with Alexander Isak, giving him just 20 minutes against Kosovo in a 2-0 defeat. Isak hasn't really had a pre-season, after all, and isn't 100 per cent himself.

Mac Allister has had an actual injury, though, and it was a surprise Argentina called him up in the first place. His lack of minutes against Venezuela suggested they agreed that he wasn't quite ready - but that opinion appears to have changed.

Or at least, sort of. They're still admitting he isn't fully fit but apparently fit enough to play? As we say, it feels like a needless risk right at the start of the campaign.

But if Mac Allister gets through it all unscathed, Liverpool will end up grateful that he got the extra minutes. Suffer a setback, however, and there will be outrage.

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