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Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has worryingly revealed that Alexis Mac Allister is training alone ahead of Thursday's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.

The Liverpool midfielder has linked up with his nation despite picking up an injury in Saturday's 1-0 victory away to Crystal Palace, where he was withdrawn at half-time by Arne Slot due to being “in slight discomfort” with a groin issue.

The Dutchman admitted after the game that he did not know whether the 25-year-old would feature for the World Cup and Copa America holders this week, yet the player himself played down such fears by claiming it was 'nothing that will stop him' in a post on Instagram.

However, Scaloni has since provided a concerning update on Mac Allister's fitness ahead of tomorrow's game. “Alexis is training differently,” he began in his pre-match press conference, as per TyC Sports. “Let’s see if he is ready for the first game.

"For now he has not been able to train with us and we will make the decision if he is part of the squad or the bench, but today it is difficult for him. I think we have to take care of him. He is a boy who comes with a lot of games and today the situation is like this.”

It's true that Mac Allister has already featured heavily for Liverpool this season, starting nine out of 10 games for the Reds in all competitions. Unfortunately for Slot, the former Brighton man is just as important for his country as he is for his club, meaning his inclusion for Argentina is top priority for Scaloni.

But having been withdrawn through injury against Crystal Palace last weekend, there is every reason to believe that Mac Allister should not have traveled halfway around the world to play two more games for his country.

And even if he doesn't play at all, making him travel thousands of miles just to train is far from ideal to say the least. As things stand, Mac Allister is not expected to feature against Venezuela, but is likely to play against Bolivia on Tuesday.

This was reiterated by Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, who wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Alexis Mac Allister will not play from the start in order to be in good shape for the match against Bolivia."

La Albiceleste currently top the standings in South American World Cup qualifying after six wins from their first eight games, leading second-place Colombia by two points. However, with the top six in the 10-team league automatically qualifying for the 2026 tournament, the holders are already virtually guaranteed a spot.

With this in mind, it makes it even more frustrating that Mac Allister was called upon by Scaloni for the October international break. As good a player as he is, Argentina is more than capable of overcoming both Venezuela and Bolivia without his services.