Player of the Week - Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool played two games this week, winning 3-1 against Tottenham and 1-0 against Bournemouth on Sunday to reach 2/2, with Alexis Mac Allister as the standout player in both games. A goal and an assist, capped with a man of the match performance, sealed the 3-1 win against Tottenham. At Bournemouth, he dictated the tempo of the game from the middle of the park.

According to Flashscore, Mac Allister was the man of the match in both games Liverpool played during the week, with the 3-1 win against Tottenham seeing him net a goal and an assist, in a game that was very much needed after a lacklustre draw against Fulham. He opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a strike in the top corner and turned provider to Gakpo's goal that doubled the lead. Substitute Szoboszlai's late strike made Liverpool more comfortable, after a scare as a draw was on the books after Gallagher's strike to make it 2-1. 

At Bournemouth, he did not get his name on the scoresheet, but his performances were all over Liverpool's build-up play. He kept finding spaces between Bournemouth's first press and their back line, won fouls in dangerous areas for Liverpool, and helped Liverpool control the game before Isak's lone strike sealed the game. 

A commanding display that summed up the week, his performance against Bournemouth shows he doesn't need a goal or assist to be a man-of-the-match candidate.

Context and What It Means

Entering this new season with no new contract talks, Mac Allister's future at Liverpool was in doubt after a 2025/26 campaign that was far from his best season. This past week has shown the quality he possesses and why he can be a huge piece in the future the new manager is building. For Andoni Iraola, having informed players is the best possible news if Liverpool wants to continue their unbeaten charge this season and challenge for titles.

The Verdict

Right now, Mac Allister looks like Liverpool's most important midfielder again, not just a squad player fighting for his future. He is doing the best possible under new manager Iraola. Expect him to keep being Liverpool's best Midfielder as Liverpool navigate their early-season fixtures.

Honourable Mention

Cody Gakpo pushes Mac Allister close after another week of end product. His clinical finish against Tottenham made it ten goals in the EFL Cup since the start of 2023-24, more than any other player in that span, and he was heavily involved again at Bournemouth, delivering the cross that Wirtz flicked on for Isak's winner. Gakpo was on his way to a big-money transfer to City that broke down due to a lack of a replacement, and his current form for Liverpool makes them glad the deal didn't go through.

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