It seems as though Jurgen Klopp has found a solution to Liverpool’s ongoing defensive midfield dilemma. Have none, to put it simply.
This season, Alexis Mac Allister has started every Premier League game at number six with the exception of one, although even the Argentine is the first to confess that isn’t his preferred position.
So, the summer signing will have to pick these skills on the job. This was his most stunning performance since moving to Anfield, but it also demonstrated why it could be constrictive.
Certainly, one of the factors contributing to the euphoria surrounding Mac Allister’s preseason exploits was his vision and the force of the ball that enabled Darwin Nunez to score Liverpool’s crucial second goal.
Such contributions would happen more frequently if the team played further upfield. However, Wataru Endo, who was only given a few minutes today, and adolescent Stefan Bajcetic aren’t quite ready for regular starts for Jurgen Klopp just now.
There are alternative solutions, such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones’ excellent second-half double-six against Wolves last weekend, but that again hinders the pair’s natural game.
So, Mac Allister must go on for the foreseeable future. But Anfield has now gotten a preview of what to look forward to in the long run.
