Liverpool FC: How Alexis Mac Allister’s versatility becomes key

Better than Rice and Rodri?

In Mohamed Salah’s absence, Argentinian Alexis Mac Allister stepped up to the plate for Liverpool FC against Manchester City last Sunday at the start of the second half and scored what was probably the most important penalty of the season to date. The 25-year-old brilliantly passed the ball past Citizens keeper Ederson and then sprinted back to the center circle with the ball to give his team the signal that more could be done here. A symbol of the mentality that the world champion exemplifies in his first season for the Reds – and thus inspires the entire team.

Following his €42m move from Brighton last summer, Mac Allister has already become an important part of Liverpool’s success. The stability that he and the Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai have given the midfield has revitalized Jürgen Klopp’s team. It was undoubtedly not an easy start for Mac Allister at Anfield: injury problems in the squad and a trip to the Asian Cup for Wataru Endo, who played a more defensive role in the center, contributed to the Argentine right-footer, who normally feels more comfortable in a more attacking role, from Klopp was often used as a defensive midfielder. But Mac Allister knew how to convince in both the role of six and in the eighth position. It is likely that his current career high of 65 million euros will go up again in the next market value update in the Premier League (Transfermarkt will update the values ​​on Thursday, March 14th).

Liverpool FC: Why Mac Allister’s versatility is invaluable

Last season, Mac Allister was primarily used as an attacking midfielder at Brighton, but he made 15 of his 23 Premier League appearances in the current season in central midfield. He has now successfully made this role his own. In the 4-0 win over Bournemouth in January, Mac Allister made nine tackles – Liverpool’s highest in the last eight seasons. He also made eight tackles in the 4-1 win over Chelsea last month. Throughout the season, no other Reds midfielder has had half as many tackles as the Argentine, who has 64 tackles.

However, Liverpool appear more cohesive overall defensively when Mac Allister plays alongside a “natural” six. In the 15 Premier League games in which the world champions played in the defensive center, Liverpool conceded 19 goals, which corresponds to an average of 1.27 goals conceded per game. From the seven games in which Endo played alongside Mac Allister, there were only five goals conceded (average 0.71 per game) – although the team’s hit rate is also lower (2.43 vs. 2.67), the points average is for that higher at 2.72 points compared to 2.27 points. With Endo as security, Mac Allister’s offensive values ​​also improved: three goals and four assists are on the Argentine’s balance sheet in the last seven games in which both started together. In his 15 league appearances in defensive midfield, however, he only contributed one goal and one assist. With Endo behind him, he can perform better both offensively and defensively.

In January, Klopp raved about Mac Allister: “He didn’t play as a straight six at Brighton, but he’s an incredibly intelligent player. Incredibly smart. And as long as you can set up a compact formation, he’s an excellent six.” It’s fair to say that Klopp knows his way around tactics – and his praise for the 23-cap international underlines the influence he’s had since joining Anfield has. Klopp added: “You can all tell me what you want, but he is an outstanding six on the ball. And against the ball he is simply very strong.” According to official Premier League figures, Mac Allister (64) has led more this season Tackles as Arsenal’s Declan Rice (55) and City’s Rodri (54) – arguably the two best defensive midfielders in the league.

Many expect Liverpool’s midfield to consist of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in the long term, along with a “natural” six – be it Endo or a new, younger alternative. Nonetheless, Mac Allister’s ability to adapt to the defensive midfielder role this season cannot be underestimated. Without his flexibility, it is difficult to imagine that Liverpool would be in the position in the table that the club currently finds itself in – level on points with leaders Arsenal with ten games left (to the table).

Mac Allister’s journey from Buenos Aires to Merseyside

Mac Allister has had an interesting journey through the football world. He was born in Santa Rosa to Scottish and Irish parents and went through the school of Argentinos Juniors (Diego Maradona’s training club). Scott Christensen, Transfermarkt’s Area Manager Argentina, reports: “He started playing at Argentinos Juniors alongside his two brothers (Francis Mac Allister and Kevin Mac Allister), who were much closer to their father’s (Carlos Mac Allister) style of play Alexis. His family members tend to be defensive-aggressive players. Alexis started as an attacking midfielder for Argentinos and was a promising talent.” Brighton paid Argentinos €8 million to lure Mac Allister to Europe permanently in 2019, but sent the midfielder straight back to Argentina on loan.

Christensen explains: “He was loaned to Boca Juniors from Brighton. He only played there for six months, but didn’t have to adjust to one of Argentina’s top clubs and also showed some great performances in the Copa Libertadores. He used to play directly behind the attackers because his shooting and assisting skills are very good. But in my opinion he improved a lot when he was moved back a bit to Brighton in the Premier League. He is an intelligent midfielder and so it suited him to play a little further back as it gives him more time to think, organize the team and see the game in front of him.”

At just 25 years old, Liverpool FC’s number 10 still has a lot ahead of him, Christensen attests: “One of the characteristics that makes him a top player is that he is not above defense. He will never withdraw his foot during a tackle and it is quite difficult to dribble past him. He can cover the ball really well. For me Mac Allister is one of the best Argentine players. He was a bit underestimated at first, but since the World Cup I think he will continue to improve to become a complete midfielder for Liverpool.”

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