Title: Enhancing Liverpool’s Midfield: Addressing the Need for Support to Unlock Mac Allister’s Potential
Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Aston Villa showcased the exceptional talent of Alexis Mac Allister, who has undeniably been one of the team’s standout players this season. Valued at £35 million, his transfer from Brighton appears to be the bargain of the summer window, as the 25-year-old has proven to be worth significantly more.
Throughout Jurgen Klopp’s final season, Mac Allister has played an indispensable role in the team, ranking third in terms of minutes played, only behind Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz. However, the recent match against Aston Villa shed light on the pressing need for additional support for the Argentine midfielder.
Within the midfield setup against Villa, Mac Allister operated as the left-sided No. 8, with Wataru Endo providing anchoring support and Harvey Elliott as the creative force. In the latter stages of the game, Klopp made a quadruple substitution, resulting in Mac Allister shifting to a deeper No. 6 role, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch took on more advanced positions.
Yet, it became evident that Mac Allister’s importance to the team had taken a toll on him. This was particularly noticeable during Villa’s comeback, where he was at fault for their first goal, giving the ball away before Ollie Watkins assisted Youri Tielemans. Furthermore, Mac Allister’s transition to a deeper role exposed vulnerabilities in his game, as he was bypassed easily in midfield on multiple occasions.
Statistics from FotMob highlight Mac Allister’s weakness in terms of being dribbled past. In the game against Villa alone, he was dribbled past four times, the highest among all midfielders, and only surpassed by Trent Alexander-Arnold (five) in the entire Liverpool team. Throughout the Premier League season, he has been dribbled past a total of 66 times, placing him in the third percentile for players in his position.
Squawka reveals that Mac Allister holds the unfortunate record of being dribbled past more times than any other Liverpool player in the past eight seasons. This emphasizes the need for Liverpool to address their defensive vulnerabilities, as they have been dribbled past more times (413) than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues this season, according to WhoScored.
While Mac Allister has adapted well to playing as a No. 6, his best performances have come when Endo has been in the lineup, allowing him to assume his natural role. However, with uncertainties surrounding Endo’s long-term suitability, it becomes evident that Liverpool must invest in a top-class defensive midfielder this summer to provide the necessary support for Mac Allister.
By reinforcing the midfield with a player who excels in defensive duties, Liverpool can unlock Mac Allister’s full potential in an advanced position. This strategic move would not only alleviate the burden on the Argentine but also enhance the team’s overall performance and address their defensive vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, while Alexis Mac Allister’s impact on Liverpool this season has been remarkable, the recent draw against Aston Villa highlighted the need for additional support in midfield. By investing in a top-class No. 6 player, Liverpool can unleash Mac Allister’s attacking prowess and bolster their defensive capabilities. This strategic move would not only optimize Mac Allister’s performance but also strengthen the team’s overall dynamics heading into the future.