The countdown to the new season is almost over. The Community Shield is just days away, and Liverpool’s first big test under Arne Slot will take place under the bright lights of Wembley. The opponent is Crystal Palace, but in truth, the real battle for Liverpool right now is not just about lifting an early-season trophy. It is about starting the season with confidence, rhythm, and belief — and doing that while juggling injuries, managing returning players, and making sure the squad is ready for the marathon ahead. And right in the middle of it all is Alexis Mac Allister, the Argentine midfielder who has been waiting for this moment for months.
Mac Allister’s story since the end of last season has been one of frustration and patience. He had been one of Liverpool’s most reliable performers in the early months of 2024, driving the team forward from midfield, linking defence and attack with calm precision. But just when the season reached its most decisive stage, an injury struck. He missed the final four matches of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, and with it, the chance to help his teammates in the last push for the title. He could only watch from the sidelines as Liverpool secured their place at the top, the celebrations bittersweet for a player who had given so much but was unable to be part of the last battles on the pitch.
That injury also robbed him of international duty with Argentina. For a player who takes pride in representing his country, missing out on the call-up was another blow. While his teammates travelled, trained, and played, Mac Allister stayed behind, focusing on recovery. The days were long. The training sessions were careful and measured. He could only watch others play, wait for the pain to fade, and trust the process. The goal was always clear: be ready for pre-season. But football rarely follows the perfect script.
When Liverpool started their pre-season tour, Mac Allister was not there in the matchday squads. Three games passed — three games without him. Fans began to ask questions. Was he ready? Was the injury more serious than expected? The truth was that the medical team and Arne Slot wanted no risks. The new manager, stepping into the role after Jurgen Klopp’s era, knew that losing a key midfielder in August could hurt the entire season. So he waited. He gave Mac Allister the time to build up strength slowly, away from the intensity of competitive games.
Finally, last week, against Yokohama F Marinos, the wait was over. It wasn’t a full match. It wasn’t even a full half. But seeing Mac Allister back in the red shirt, moving with purpose, playing his passes, and finding his rhythm was a huge boost. It was a reminder of what he brings to the team — calm under pressure, quick thinking, an ability to control the tempo. Even in limited minutes, he showed flashes of the player Liverpool fans fell in love with last season.
Now, with the Community Shield just around the corner, Arne Slot has confirmed that Mac Allister will be in the squad for Wembley. That alone is news to lift the mood around Anfield. But the Dutch manager was honest in his press conference. Mac Allister is fit to play, but not for the full 90 minutes. He hasn’t played a complete game since his comeback. He’s trained for just over a week with the full squad, building up from 30 minutes in one game to 45 in the next. Starting him is possible, Slot admitted, but finishing the game with him on the pitch is unlikely. It’s a balancing act — give him game time to sharpen him up, but avoid overloading him so early in the campaign.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that Liverpool might have to do without Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley at Wembley. Gomez, the dependable defender who can slot in at centre-back or right-back, has picked up an injury in pre-season. It’s the kind of setback that disrupts plans because Gomez offers versatility, something Slot values highly in a squad that will have to compete across multiple competitions. He is strong in the air, fast across the ground, and experienced in big matches. Losing him, even temporarily, forces the manager to adjust his defensive combinations.
Conor Bradley’s situation is also a concern. The young right-back, who impressed so many last season with his energy and fearless attacking runs, missed the recent double-header against Athletic Club. His injury has not yet been fully shaken off, and with the league opener against Bournemouth just five days after Wembley, there are real doubts about whether he will be ready. For a player still cementing his place in the senior squad, every match is an opportunity, and missing two high-profile games would be a blow.
Arne Slot’s first competitive match as Liverpool manager comes with all these questions hanging in the air. Do you risk starting Mac Allister, knowing he can’t finish the game? Do you hold him back for Bournemouth, prioritising the Premier League title defence? How do you reshuffle the defence without Gomez and possibly Bradley? The Community Shield may not carry the weight of a Champions League final, but it is still a chance to make a statement, to show the fans and the rest of the league that Liverpool under Slot is ready to fight from day one.
The backdrop to all this is Liverpool’s hunger to defend their title. Last season’s triumph was hard-earned, and keeping the crown is always harder than winning it. Manchester City will be stronger, Arsenal will be hungrier, Chelsea will be desperate to get back among the elite, and Manchester United are throwing money at their rebuild. In that kind of league, every decision, every injury, every squad rotation matters. That is why even a match like the Community Shield, technically a glorified friendly, feels important. It sets the tone. Win it, and the mood is lifted. Lose it, and the questions will grow louder before the season has even begun.
For Mac Allister, this could be the start of a season where he becomes one of Liverpool’s most important players. He has already shown he can handle the pressure of the Premier League. He has won the World Cup with Argentina. He knows how to play in big matches. But injuries have a way of slowing momentum, of forcing a player to restart. This is his restart moment. A chance to step onto the pitch at Wembley, feel the energy of the crowd, and remind everyone of what he can do.
The fans will watch closely. Every touch will be analysed. Every sprint will be checked for signs of discomfort. Liverpool supporters have seen too many seasons disrupted by injuries to key players. They know how quickly plans can change. But they also know the value of having Mac Allister in the side when he is fit and confident.
As for Gomez and Bradley, their absence — if confirmed — will test Liverpool’s depth early. This is where the squad’s younger players and fringe members get their chance. Pre-season is one thing, but competitive matches under pressure are another. Whoever steps in will have to rise to the occasion.
Wembley is the stage. Crystal Palace are the opponents. Arne Slot is the man in charge, walking into his first real test with the weight of expectation on his shoulders. The injuries are a hurdle, but they also present an opportunity — to show resilience, to adapt, to prove that Liverpool’s strength is in more than just its first-choice XI. And somewhere in that story, Alexis Mac Allister’s return could be the highlight, a symbol of recovery and readiness as the champions prepare to defend their crown.
