Alexis Mac Allister has admitted he struggled to remain awake throughout a Liverpool staff assembly forward of their conflict with Manchester Metropolis attributable to jet leg.
The midfielder was certainly one of quite a lot of South American gamers who arrived again in England within the early hours of Wednesday morning, with three Man Metropolis and Liverpool stars taking part in a component in a World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina that kicked off at 12.30am BST on November 22.
Talking after the Reds’ arduous fought 1-1 draw on the Etihad Stadium, Mac Allister mentioned the results of his late return from worldwide obligation with Argentina.
“Actually, it’s so arduous to play like this. We had been in a gathering speaking about Man Metropolis and the best way we wished to play, and I could not maintain my eyes open,” he mentioned.
“It is very robust. Jet lag, lengthy journey, however it’s what it’s. We like taking part in soccer, it is what we would like, to win, and that is why we did our greatest [at City].”
Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp was notably livid with the choice to maneuver the journey to Metropolis to 12.30pm on Saturday, and vented his fury to the press forward of the November worldwide break.
“How will you put a sport like this on Saturday at 12.30pm? Actually, the individuals making the choices, they can not really feel soccer. It’s simply not attainable. That is the second the world pays essentially the most to see a soccer sport. And by the best way, the gamers will all come again on the identical airplane, all of the South American gamers, choosing them up from totally different nations,” he mentioned.
“You must struggle your manner by means of essentially the most tough league on this planet and be prepared on Thursday and on Sunday, and Thursday. And if the Premier League has the chance to do it, be prepared on Saturday at 12.30pm!”
Regardless of jet lag, the likes of Mac Allister put in spectacular showings within the draw with Man Metropolis on the Etihad Stadium – a draw which retains the Reds inside touching distance of the highest of the Premier League desk.
