Alexis Mac Allister has earned rave reviews for his role in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Paraguay
Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that Lionel Scaloni is looking to follow Jurgen Klopp and implement the Liverpool star in a deeper midfield role.
Nicolas Otamendi’s third-minute strike proved to be the difference but the scoreline could’ve been healthier with Mac Alliister playing a key role for Argentina. The Liverpool midfielder was unfortunate not to register an assist during his eye-catching display.
Argentinian media have raved over his performance in Buenos Aires. Sports outlet Ole lauded Mac Allister in a series of articles.
Martin Eula noted: “Mac Allister is the thermometer, a central midfielder of the future who, luckily, is present: he hardly misses passes even though he takes risks, he plays on his toes at enormous speed, he makes timely pauses and he also gets muddy.”
Mac Allister completed 95% of his passes in the Argentina capital, 101 touches,100% accuracy on long balls (4/4), 7 ground duels won, 8 ball recoveries and 3 disarms
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In recent weeks, the Liverpool midfielder has struggled in the deeper role, being dispossessed against Brighton which led to Simon Adingra’s opener.
“Alexis broke it against Paraguay in his new role as central midfielder. Key to the victory of the National Team,” another wrote.
“This time with Lionel Messi entering from the bench and with Nico Otamendi as scorer, the great figure of the night at the Monumental was Alexis Mac Allister, author of a great game and Actitud Libra player.
“Colo, who is going through a great moment at Liverpool, modified his position on the field with respect to the World Cup and now breaks it as a defined central midfielder.
“He put together an exquisite pile-up with a step entering the area, which aroused admiration in the stands and was reviewed by the VAR to see if there was a penalty.”
The above is in reference to a brilliant piece of skill from Mac Allister who burst forward, dribbling around four Paraguay defenders, before going down in the box.
The skill was a moment of brilliance from the Liverpool summer signing which has yet to be displayed from the new arrival in the early stages of his Anfield career. And Mac Allister noted that he is acclimatising to his positional change.
“I played more or less as I do at the club, it is a new position but I feel very comfortable,” He declared following the triumph.
“(Lionel) Scaloni asks me to manage the balance of the team, to take care of the relays and to take care of myself when I leave.”
Despite being a regular at Liverpool, Mac Allister has come under criticism for his inability to adapt to the demands that come with playing as a number 6.
However, Klopp is yet to fully trust former Stuttgart man, Wataru Endo, leaving Mac Allister with no option but to stay in holding midfield for the moment.