Liverpool and Newcastle United faced off Monday night in a highly anticipated clash to drop the curtain on Gameweek 2 of the 2025–26 Premier League season.
Liverpool walked into a hostile environment at St. James’ Park—given the recent transfer sagas between both clubs—without two key starters: Alexis Mac Allister and Jeremie Frimpong.
Frimpong’s absence was confirmed last week when Arne Slot revealed the Dutch right back will be sidelined until after the September international break with a hamstring injury. Frimpong made his official Liverpool debut in the Reds’ win vs. Bournemouth, but he had to be substituted with an injury.
When Liverpool revealed their starting XI for the match against Newcastle, the most glaring name missing from the lineup—and the squad entirely—was Mac Allister’s.
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Speculation immediately began regarding the Argentine‘s absence. He wasn’t spotted in training yesterday ahead of the clash and didn’t make the trip to Tyneside.
“He had to leave the training pitch two days ago and that would not even be the biggest problem if he would have had a proper pre-season, but he missed out for so many weeks,” Slot said after the game. “With such a long season to go, it was too much of a risk for me but I am hoping, hoping things in the upcoming one or two days so that he is available for Sunday.”
Ryan Gravenberch made his season debut after missing out on Liverpool’s clash vs. Bournemouth through suspension. The Dutchman scored the first goal of the game as Liverpool escaped against 10 men with all three points.
Replacing Frimpong was Dominik Szoboszlai, an unorthodox option. The Hungarian looked out of place at times with Conor Bradley eventually coming on as a late substitute, though Szoboszlai slotted back into midfield and his clever dummy allowed Rio Ngumoha to score the game-winner.
Virgil van Dijk avoided a serious injury as well after a red card offence from Anthony Gordon in the first half.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Arne Slot Gives Alexis Mac Allister Injury Update After Newcastle Match.
