Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has moved to calm fears over a knee injury sustained by Alexis Mac Allister.
Earlier this summer, the Merseyside giants commenced their transfer business ahead of 2023-24 with the acquisition of the World Cup winner from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 24-year-old has since made four 45-minute appearances during pre-season, with the most recent coming in a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
However, the Argentina international's withdrawal on this occasion was enforced having suffered a knock to his knee during the first half in Singapore.
Mac Allister's substitution naturally led to concerns that he may not recover in time for the start of the new Premier League season, which begins on August 11, or that the issue could keep him out in the long term.
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Klopp has since given a positive update on Mac Allister, the German quoted by the club's official website as saying: "Yeah, knee on knee. He could have played on.
"So firstly I got the information that it's too painful, so that was then clear that we will change. There's no need to push him through.
"When I spoke afterwards, he said, 'No, no, I would have been fine.' But we didn't want to go with any risks. It's just knee on knee, bruise, that's it. It was fine."
That development is a major plus for Liverpool at a time when they have already seen five of last season's midfield crop depart the club over the past two months.
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Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have each signed for clubs in the Saudi Pro League, resulting in Klopp and the club's recruitment team needing to take a proactive approach to replacing key players.
Southampton's Romeo Lavia is allegedly Liverpool's priority target, yet the Saints are currently refusing to budge on their £50m valuation of the Belgium international.
Brazil international Andre, of Fluminense, has reportedly been identified as an alternative, with a report suggesting that the 22-year-old may be available for £20m.
As well as Mac Allister, Klopp also has Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott at his disposal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold also capable of being deployed in Klopp's midfield three.
Darren Plant
