{"id":128291,"date":"2023-12-06T19:26:51","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T19:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/12\/06\/mac-allister-is-liverpools-new-driving-force-from-deep\/"},"modified":"2023-12-06T19:26:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T19:26:51","slug":"mac-allister-is-liverpools-new-driving-force-from-deep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/12\/06\/mac-allister-is-liverpools-new-driving-force-from-deep\/","title":{"rendered":"Mac Allister is Liverpool\u2019s new driving force from deep \u2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Alexis Mac Allister has established himself as the driving force in Liverpool\u2019s midfield.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The World Cup winner scored his first goal for the Merseysiders last Sunday, rifling a stunning strike home against Fulham.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Signed from Brighton in June, the 24-year-old has been excelling in a deeper role for the six-time European champions.<\/p>\n

Ahead of Liverpool\u2019s match at Sheffield United tonight, we take a look at how he has adapted to life at Anfield.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sweetest of strikes<\/h2>\n

Mac Allister\u2019s confidence will have received a massive boost after netting one of the goals of the season against the Cottagers.<\/p>\n

Struck from distance, the Argentine\u2019s first-half shot rocketed into the top corner, leaving Bernd Leno clutching at thin air.<\/p>\n

After the match, Mac Allister said: \u201cI scored a nice one against Leicester [for Brighton] but it was disallowed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I think it was the best goal I scored in my life. Not a bad start to my career in Liverpool as a goalscorer!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I hit it, I knew that it was going to be a goal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cVery nice goal but as I always say, when I play as a No6 I am not very worried about goals and assists. I have other work to do but it\u2019s always nice to score.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Role change<\/h2>\n
\"Alexis
Alexis Mac Allister has been thriving at Liverpool<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Liverpool fans may have expected Mac Allister to be among the goals sooner, having scored 12 for Brighton last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But as he mentioned, attacking returns have not been on the midfield maestro\u2019s mind of late due to the role that he is being used in by Jurgen Klopp.<\/p>\n

It is another example of Mac Allister\u2019s time at Liverpool having confounded expectations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most assumed that he would be used in a more attacking midfield position, rather than as a No6.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After the win against Nottingham Forest in October, Klopp gave his reasons as to why he has used the summer signing in this way.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI think today everybody could see the benefit of a player who comes rather from the offensive side of the game than from the other side.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a game where you have to create things where you have to pass, switch sides, that\u2019s how it is, because not all balls reach the target.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if you try something in tight spaces, that\u2019s completely normal. I have no problem at all with losing balls around the box because that\u2019s where we should be then for the counter-press.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read more: Enzo getting up to speed for Chelsea after Brighton brace<\/p>\n

Problem solver<\/h2>\n
\"Jurgen
Jurgen Klopp has been using Alexis Mac Allister in a different position to Roberto De Zerbi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mac Allister has given his own thoughts on being tasked with shielding Liverpool\u2019s defence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cJurgen is playing me there, is giving me his support and I try to do the best I can.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I improved a lot in the last couple of years, defensively, and I think it\u2019s a job I can do well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I feel good, I feel that my team-mates and the coaching staff are supporting me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The key to the tactical move has been Klopp making sure Liverpool have additional players in close attendance \u2014 including Trent Alexander-Arnold when he inverts from full-back.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Liverpool tried to sign defensive midfield specialists Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia during the summer but both ended up joining Chelsea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That suggests Klopp may not see Mac Allister\u2019s long-term future in that role but for now, he is solving an important problem for the manager.<\/p>\n

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