Liverpool resounding start to the season has endured its first tout of turbulence, though Jurgen Klopp will be confident that winning ways in the Premier League will resume promptly.
Having steamrolled into early form, the Reds constructed a seven-match winning streak across all competitions after drawing their opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – very much restored after a challenging 2022/23 season.
This excellent vein of form was halted by a controversial defeat against table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur, preceding a recent 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast.
Such form is certainly not concerning, but several patterns are becoming a bit of an unwanted theme, namely the slow starts to matches and the continuing debate over Alexis Mac Allister’s role as the No. 6.
How is Alexis Mac Allister playing this season?
Mac Allister was sign from Brighton in a £35m transfer in the summer after winning the World Cup with Argentina,
And while he has looked crisp and control in the centre of the pitch, there are indeed a few question marks floating around his current role.
It is important to note that Liverpool were utterly woeful for large parts of last season
And offered a collective midfield that was rather shambolic,
Unable to effectively aid the attack and definitely incapable of efficiently protecting the backline.
What does Allister offers
But, nonetheless, Mac Allister is both creative and energetic and his best qualities lie in a role that suits; due to Liverpool lacking a specialist no. 6 outside of squad option Wataru Endo and youngster Stefan Bajcetic,
The 24-year-old has deployed in the deep-lying role across all eight of his Premier League outings as a Red.
He has still showcased his skills, completing 89% of his tackles and winning 2.8 tackles per game
As per Sofascore – but the eye test will show that there is still much defensively to be absorbed.
Perhaps a change is in order, in the short-term, at least,
And with Ryan Gravenberch still waiting for his maiden starting berth in the English top-flight,
It might just be time to integrate the Dutchman into proceedings and utilise his progressive presence.
