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8 months ago
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Liverpool clings to its leadership chair and can thank Alexis Mac Allister! On the 31st day of the Premier League, the Mersey club faced Sheffield Utd. Fully involved in the title race, the Reds were obliged to respond with a victory at Manchester City and Arsenal, respective defeaters of Aston Villa and Luton Town the day before. If on paper, this opposition against the red lantern turned out to be a simple formality for the Reds, the task proved difficult. While Jürgen Klopp's protégés quickly led the proceedings thanks to the inevitable Darwin Nunez, scorer of his 11th goal of the season, they were caught again at the start of the second half following an unfortunate Conor Bradley goal against his side .
Jürgen Klopp “Red crazy” by Alexis Mac Allister!
While Sheffield Utd thought they could limit the damage by grabbing an unexpected draw at Anfield, Liverpool, with their backs to the wall, drew on their resources to escape the trap set by their opponent. Symbol of the resilience of the Reds, Alexis Mac Allister showed the way to his partners. Well inspired on the edge of the opponent's area, the Argentinian fired a clear and powerful shot which cleared Ivo Grbic's top corner. Author of his 5th goal in 25 games this season in the league with the Reds, the 2022 world champion could have scored a double if his free kick had not hit the crossbar of the opposing goalkeeper. In addition to his performance in front of goal, the former Brighton player was invaluable in the midfield. In the right place at the right time, the Santa Rosa native extinguished the Blades' attacks with clean interceptions while using his creativity on the ball to launch his offensives.
In addition, he made the difference when his team was looking for a second wind, which earned him praise from his coach at the final whistle. “I'd rather you all use your eyes and just say what you see because it's obvious. He's a very important player for us, a wonderful boy. I met his father after the match, he said 'thank you', I said 'gracias'!… A wonderful player, a wonderful boy. I'm really happy for Liverpool to have got him.”, commented Jürgen Klopp. In search of a new element to expand their midfield, Liverpool had a hollow nose by poaching Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, under the noses of the European leaders. Arriving on tiptoe in Sussex in 2019 from Boca Juniors, the Argentinian saw his popularity gradually rise until this famous 2022 World Cup won with the Albiceleste where he literally broke the screen.
With Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool smelled a good deal!
Arriving at the Anfield residents in exchange for a check for 42 million euros, Alexis Mac Allister had to quickly meet expectations given the substantial sum paid to secure his services. It is clear that he has naturally found his place in Jürgen Klopp’s squad. An essential cog in the German technician's 3-way midfield, the 24-year-old Argentinian shines with his technical quality which allows him to keep the ball well during transition phases. Creator, Mac Allister has the ability to project himself quickly forward and does not hesitate to take his chance from afar as soon as he has the opportunity, proof of this with his sumptuous goal scored against Sheffield Utd, in midfield. week. Over the weeks, the Brighton defector gained confidence and this was reflected in his ability to play a step lower, like a real number 6, to support his defense in the defensive phase. In addition, he managed to forget Thiago Alcantara.
“His defensive work has been very good where people doubted his ability to be defensive, but I prefer him as an eight (attacking midfielder editor's note). He's a very good player. In the first half he was playing six, but we knew we could move him a little higher. Then he scores this kind of goal. The two best goals of the season came from him (in reference to the Argentinian's goal against Fulham, editor's note). Then his free kick just after his goal… Absolutely crazy, what a player”noted Jürgen Klopp at the microphone of the BBC during the success against the Blades. Symbol of a real rise in power in recent weeks, Alexis Mac Allister has been involved in ten goals in his last ten appearances with the Liverpuldiens (5 goals, 5 goals in all competitions). With a record of 7 assists for 6 goals in all competitions since the start of the season, the Argentine metronome will be one of the players to follow at the end of the Scousers season. This Sunday, he will have the opportunity to shine again against Manchester United, a shock counting for the 32nd day of the Premier League. Note that in the event of victory, Liverpool would return to the top of the English championship.
