Liverpool and Newcastle United face on Monday evening in a highly anticipated confrontation to drop the curtain on Gameweek 2 from the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Unfortunately to Liverpool, they will have to enter what will be sure to be an environment hostile to St. James’ Park – gave the recent transfer sagas between the two clubs – without two key leaves: Alexis Mac Allister and Jeremie Frimpong.
The absence of Frimpong was confirmed last week when Arne Slot revealed that the Dutch right return would be sidelined until the international break of September with an injury to the hamstrings. Frimpong made his official debut in Liverpool in the Reds victory against Bournemouth, but he had to be replaced by an injury and now he should miss at least two games.
But when Liverpool revealed his departure XI for the match against Newcastle, the most blatant name missing in the programming – and the team entirely – was Mac Allister.
The team news is in it! 🔴 #Newliv
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 25, 2025
Speculations immediately started concerning the absence of Argentinian. He was not spotted in training yesterday before the confrontation and did not travel to Tyneside. Although no official reason has yet been given to explain its absence, rumors indicate that the game is missing because its partner is about to give birth.
Ryan Gravenberch will make his debut of the season after missing Liverpool’s shock against Bournemouth thanks to the suspension. Two weeks ago, the Dutchman missed the community shield because his partner also gave birth. Now the Dutchman is about to replace Mac Allister in the Arne Slot midfielder.
The replacement of Frimpong is however more difficult. The natural backup Conor Bradley has just returned from injury and is probably not ready to start. There is no natural return to Liverpool’s programming against Newcastle, but all signs point to Curtis Jones or perhaps Dominik Szoboszlai to put a quarter of work on the right side of Liverpool.
It is a story in development.
