Jurgen Klopp believes Alexis Mac Allister has just demonstrated exactly why Liverpool are utilising as a holding midfielder after his performance in the Reds’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

The World Cup winner, who spent most of his time playing as a number eight for Brighton & Hove Albion, signed a £35 million contract to join Liverpool in the summer. Although he would have preferred to play further forward, the Argentine has been used as a number six by the Reds since Fabinho was sold to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia during the summer.

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The jury remains out on Mac Allister’s ability to fully adapt to the role, with many wanting to see the midfielder played in his favoured position. But after impressing further back against Nottingham Forest, Klopp defended Liverpool’s current use of the Argentina international.

“It is obviously not really a discussion we have, otherwise we wouldn’t play him there, obviously,” he told reporters.

“I 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.

Mac Allister has 1 interception from the rival’s feet to help Liverpool open the score

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“In a game where you have to create things, where you have to pass, where you have to switch sides. That’s how it is then.

“Not all the balls reach the target, but if you try something in tight spaces, that’s completely normal. I have no problem at all with losing balls around the box because that’s where we should be then for counter-press.

“I’m really pleased for him. And a lot of top defensive moments. Really built the counter, stuff like this. Was really there.

“He’s good at these things, that’s why we play him there. In one vs one situations, really good.

“We have to make sure, as a team, that the spaces are really small in these moments. And we can do that with the eights, with the wingers, and the central striker as well.

“And we can do that with the centre-halves pushing into midfield in these moments. And then we have just a really creative player in the centre of the park, together with Trent in some moments obviously, which is helpful. Very helpful.”