Arne Slot has ruled Alexis Mac Allister out of Liverpool’s final game of the season.
The midfielder was not involved in the 3-2 defeat by Brighton and played his final game of the season against Arsenal last Sunday.
Slot referenced the 26-year-old’s “Argentinian mentality”, implying that Mac Allister had been playing through the pain barrier in recent months.
“Alexis will not play for us this season anymore,” Slot told reporters during his post-match news conference. “He needs rest at this moment in time to recover completely and to be ready for the start next season, that will be no problem.
“I think he played throughout the last part of the season with the Argentinian mentality that he has — never gives up no matter what he feels. But it’s not smart to play a player that has, not a big injury, but something to take a risk with.”
It means Mac Alister will not be involved on the pitch for the game against Crystal Palace, but he will still be able to enjoy the celebrations afterwards when Liverpool are officially crowned as champions and lift the Premier League title.
He has been instrumental at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield this season, starting 30 Premier League games and 49 appearances in total.
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