Opportunity opens up for ideal Alexis Mac Allister midfield replacement
Liverpool face Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night.
It promises to be a difficult fixture in a hostile atmosphere - with the Reds having lost to their Turkish counterparts in Istanbul earlier in the season.
Arne Slot will be hoping for better this time out - with the return leg due to take place at Anfield on Wednesday March 18.
But the Premier League champions looked to have sustained a blow in their preparations for the Gala game during the FA Cup victory against Wolves on Friday night.
Mac Allister injured versus Wolves
Talismanic midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was substituted in the 82nd minute following a heavy challenge by Hwang Hee-chan during the 3-1 victory at Molineux.
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The Argentina World Cup winner was replaced by Trey Nyoni - and went off with what looked like a knee problem.
Arne Slot rushed to play down fears over Macca’s short-term fitness in the post-game press conference, answering: “I think so, yes,” when asked if the 27-year-old was OK.
It is the case that Mac Allister is not fit enough to start against Cimbom then Slot now knows he has a player capable of filling in perfectly.
Jones is the perfect Mac Allister
Curtis Jones had an impeccable match against Wolves - not misplacing any of his 51 passes as well as scoring and assisting.
Amid a spell of indifferent form - which brought his future at the club into focus - the 25-year-old served a timely reminder of his capabilities.
Jones has made four starts in Europe - controlling the game expertly in fixtures against Frankfurt and Inter in particular.
There is a sense his calmness on the ball suits the continental game better and it will be interesting to see where he features in Slot’s plans for the Gala game.
If Mac Allister doesn’t make it then Jones is a certainty to be selected. And even if the No10 is passed fit don’t rule out Slot finding a place for a recently resurgent Jones.
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