Unleashing Mac Allister: LFC’s No. 6 Reveal – A Natural Talent
Jurgen Klopp has always believed in the potential of Alexis Mac Allister to thrive in the deep midfield role, and recent performances have proven him right. The Argentine midfielder, who joined Liverpool for £35 million in the summer, has settled into life at Anfield and is growing into a comfortable option in the No. 6 position.
When Mac Allister signed a five-year deal with Liverpool, many did not expect him to be deployed as a holding midfielder. After all, he had registered 12 goal contributions in the Premier League last season and had even taken on the legendary No. 10 shirt. However, Klopp saw something in him that others didn’t, and his belief has been vindicated.
Mac Allister’s smooth return from a knee injury was essential due to Wataru Endo’s departure to the Asian Cup. In his six starts since his return, he has displayed his class and settled into his new role. His most impressive performance came in the 4-0 victory against Bournemouth, where he was a force at both ends of the pitch. He created the most chances, won the most duels, and made the most ball recoveries in the first half. His ability to progress play with precise passes and cut out transitions was crucial for Liverpool.
In Liverpool’s passing network against Bournemouth, Mac Allister was hugely involved and effective in the team’s buildup. His natural ability to receive the ball facing his own goal and quickly release it to initiate transitions has been vital for the new-look Liverpool side.
Despite his stature, Mac Allister has become an imposing figure both on and off the ball. He has shown tenacity and a growing defensive prowess in recent weeks. Although playing in a deeper role is not entirely new to him, his adaptation to his new role at Anfield alongside more attack-minded midfielders is admirable.
In the victory against Bournemouth, Mac Allister registered more tackles than any Liverpool player has in a single Premier League game for eight seasons. He also won possession 15 times and won 14 of his 20 duels. His defensive performance allowed Liverpool to remain on the front foot without being overly concerned about the opposition’s attacking threat.
Mac Allister’s contributions have not been limited to his defensive abilities. He has also been involved in the team’s buildup and has created numerous chances for his teammates. His performances have drawn comparisons to Thiago, who played a similar role in the second half of the previous season.
The tactical change to a 4-2-3-1 formation against Fulham worked wonders for Mac Allister. He became more involved in the game and played a key role in progressing play and controlling the game. His positional awareness and technical strengths have been vital in driving Liverpool forward.
Mac Allister’s ability to break lines with his passing has been trusted by Klopp. He is often used as a decoy for long diagonal balls from the central defenders, allowing them to take on some of the creative responsibility.
Comparisons with other top holding midfielders in the league, such as Rodri and Declan Rice, highlight Mac Allister’s impressive performance in his unfamiliar role. He has shown a high duel success rate and has excelled in aerial duels despite his stature.
Liverpool’s midfield rebuild seems to be off to a good start with Mac Allister’s early success. He has provided more dynamic figures than last season’s aging department and has shown promising numbers in both progressive and key passing.
It remains to be seen whether Mac Allister will be the long-term replacement for Fabinho in the holding position, but one thing is clear: Liverpool has a tremendously gifted midfielder with the versatility and skillset to excel in any role he is given.
Overall, Mac Allister’s performances in recent weeks have shown that he is a natural talent who has settled into life at Anfield. Klopp’s belief in him has been justified, and Liverpool fans can look forward to seeing more from this exciting midfielder in the future.