Liverpool have a world class player quietly going under the radar

Liverpool have a world class player quietly going under the radar

Alexis Mac Allister has been moved into yet another midfield role by Liverpool this season and Ryan Gravenberch has been one to benefit

Bookmark

Alexis Mac Allister would have been forgiven for thinking Wednesday wasn't destined to be his night. From being wrongly booked early on for simulation to striking the crossbar with a fantastic long-range effort and relieved at the ability to count to two after being struck from close range by the ball in his tender regions, the Liverpool midfielder couldn't catch a break.

But even when the fates are seemingly conspiring against him, Mac Allister remains one of the most influential players in this evolving Reds team.

It's why Arne Slot had no issue instantly recalling the Argentina international for the Champions League win at RB Leipzig in place of Curtis Jones - man of the match against Chelsea three days earlier - having shaken off first the muscle complaint and then the illness that had hampered him in the previous few weeks.

"Curtis only played two games this season from the start and didn’t finish any of the two, so for me it was a bit too early to two days later play him again," said Slot. “And if you have Macca, who is back from being sick, it is, in my opinion, a logical choice to make.”

Mac Allister will again be one of the first names on the teamsheet at Arsenal on Sunday. And it will be intriguing to discover how he fares when Liverpool face the toughest examination yet of their strong start to the campaign.

The respective fixture last season was notable for a number of reasons. A 3-1 defeat meant what could have been an eight-point lead over Arsenal was cut to two and breathed life into a Gunners championship challenge that, while ultimately failing behind Manchester City, saw them finish comfortably above Liverpool.

It also effectively brought an end to Mac Allister regularly playing as the sole number six under Jurgen Klopp, having been compelled to feature in the role given Liverpool's failure to recruit a high-profile player for the position and the acclimatisation period of eventual signing Wataru Endo.

Until then, Mac Allister had started in a more advanced role only twice in the Premier League, both of which were qualified by Liverpool being reduced to 10 men in the first half at Newcastle United and later the 25-year-old suffering an early injury at Sheffield United.

The remainder of the season, though, saw him play almost exclusively in the attacking position, which prompted a marked increase in both goals and assists.

In truth, Mac Allister had been one of Liverpool's better performers during an overall disappointing show at Arsenal in February. But there's little doubt he is far more effective in the deeper position when alongside another player, where he regularly featured for Brighton before his £35million move to Anfield in the summer of 2023.

With Liverpool having again been unable to bring in another established number six option, Mac Allister's partner this season has been Ryan Gravenberch, who has surpassed expectations after a fitful debut Reds campaign playing further up in the midfield.

When the duo had lined up together during the Premier League defeat at Arsenal, Gravenberch posted one of his least effective performances as a Liverpool player as he struggled with the high-octane tempo of the game. Intriguingly, it was only the second and final time in which he started against a top-six rival last season.

But the change of system under Slot and the influence of Mac Allister alongside has allowed Gravenberch to adapt quickly this term. Already he has started wins over Manchester United and Chelsea, while also in the line-up for Champions League triumphs at AC Milan and, on Wednesday, RB Leipzig.

Given the injury to Martin Odegaard means Arsenal could opt for a more physically imposing midfield with Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and potentially Jorginho, Gravenberch faces arguably the litmus test of his improving form in his new role on Sunday.

Mac Allister, though, has long proven himself worthy. And his ability to make those around him better is a sign of the world class player now in Liverpool's ranks. As Slot might say, it's the only logical conclusion.

Story Saved
You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.