Alexis Mac Allister: The Key to Liverpool’s Return to Form
By James Whitfield
After a run of six losses in seven games, Liverpool appeared to be in a difficult place with a tough run of fixtures ahead. However, following the Aston Villa and Real Madrid victories, Arne Slot’s team have found themselves in a much more stable position and Wednesday's matchwinner Alexis Mac Allister’s return to form has been a massive help within the past week.
Injury and Tough End to Last Season
Throughout last season’s title triumph, Mac Allister was seen as one of Slot’s most important players and being grouped with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szobozlai given the Reds a midfield that was one of the best in the division and played a crucial part in securing Liverpool’s 20th league title.
Mac Allister was often paired next to Gravenberch and he would let his dutch partner be the main protector of the defence, responsible for breaking passes into the midfield and starting attacks. Szobozlai would play slightly higher and his role was to press the opponent when they had possession in their own half and to create chances within the final third.
Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch
With the other two midfielders taking care of running and creativity, the Argentine’s role was to dictate the game and to manage the match to Liverpool’s requirements. He was the most tactically smart player and knew when the ball needed to go long and get forward or the aim was to keep hold of possession to see a game out.
It was ultimately Mac Allister who sealed the title victory, whose left footed edge of the box strike gave Liverpool the lead in their title winning game against Tottenham Hotspur. A game that finished 5-1 to Liverpool.
In Liverpool’s next two games he came on as a substitute but missed the final two matches of the season due to a muscle injury.
Difficult Start to Title Defence
Due to his injury, Mac Allister missed the majority of pre season and had a lot of catching up to do. Not just with fitness but with chemistry as well.
The summer saw some wholesale changes at the club with the arrivals of new fullbacks Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, while attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz arrived for a massive £116 million.
A new set of fullbacks has proved difficult considering that Liverpool had a mainstay pair of Andrew Robertson and the departed Trent Alexander-Arnold for the past eight seasons. While Wirtz struggled to make an instant impact and connection within Slot’s midfield, despite creating the joint most chances in the Premier League this season.
Kerkez has found it tough offensively, not being able to find a connection on the left hand side with Cody Gakpo and Frimpong’s season has been full of injury problems.
The new arrivals have meant that Mac Allister has struggled to connect with his teammates and to also recreate Liverpool’s winning formula that worked so well last season.
Dominik Szobozlai has also found himself getting used as a right back, which has weakened the midfield and increased inconsistency within the fullback positions.
The former Brighton midfielder also missed two games at the end of august with another injury. He returned for Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Burnley but was forced off early after a late challenge from Lesley Ugochukwu went into his ankle.
Potentially playing through injury, Liverpool then only won one of their next five Premier League matches and the midfielder was unable to make a positive impact regarding his team’s performances. So far this season, his completed long pass percentage has gone from 56% to 35%.
The increased use of physicality and set pieces in England’s top flight has not helped Mac Allister and he couldn't have had a much tougher start to the season.
Back to his Best
Mac Allister started in the 3-0 Carabao Cup exit to Crystal Palace, a game where Slot was criticised for playing many rotation and youth players following a horrific run of results.
However, with Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City approaching on the fixture list; it was crucial that Slot found a way to steady the ship quickly.
The return of Robertson at left back meant that the left hand side was more stable and easier to progress the ball forward.
Meanwhile, Slot has returned to the tried and trusted midfield of Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szobozlai.
For the first time in months, Liverpool looked completely in control for a Premier League match and the performance of Mac Allister was outstanding as he completed 48 passes, won five ground duels and even assisted Gravenberch’s goal.
It was a similar display against Real Madrid as the Reds dominated the game due to the strength and dominance in midfield, having over double the amount of shots that Los Blancos had and even having nine shots on target.
It was Liverpool’s number ten, whose goal was a header from a freekick and the difference maker between the two elite sides.
The two wins have put Liverpool in a better position with some very convincing displays and hopefully Mac Allister and co are back on track.