Jurgen Klopp believes Alexis MacAllister’s performance in Liverpool’s victory over Nottingham Forest demonstrated how the Reds ‘benefit’ from deploying an offensive player in the No.6 role.
Mac Allister joined Liverpool from Brighton in the summer transfer window for a fee of £35 million. The Argentina international was praised for his finishing abilities at the Seagulls, where he scored 10 goals last season.
But, since joining Liverpool, Mac Allister has mostly played as a holding midfielder. The Reds have just lost one game this season, and the 24-year-old stood out in yesterday’s 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest. And, with Steve Cooper’s team difficult to break down, and Liverpool having to wait until the 31st minute for Diogo Jota to score, Klopp believes the Reds will reap the benefits of Mac Allister being stationed in the position.
“It’s obviously not really a discussion we have,” Liverpool boss Klopp remarked, “or we wouldn’t play him there.” Today, I believe everyone can see the advantage of a player that comes from the offensive side of the game rather than the defensive side. In a game where you have to build objects, pass through obstacles, and switch sides. That’s because not all of the balls made it to the target. If you try anything in tight spaces, it’s absolutely natural; I don’t mind losing balls around the box because that’s where we should be for counter-pressing, and that can happen.
“I am very happy for him, and he had a lot of defensively excellent moments, really killing the counter, and stuff like that.” He was truly present. He’s good at these things, which is why we put him in them. He excels in one-on-one settings, and as a team, we must ensure that the spaces are kept as narrow as possible in these instances. We can do it with the eights, wingers, and the central striker. We can accomplish this with centre-halves who defend into midfield in certain situations. Then we have a tremendously creative player in the center of the park, who works well with Trent [Alexander-Arnold] at times. Very useful.”
Dominik Szoboszlai had two assists against Forest, helping Nunez and Salah on their goals. “The boy is a joy to watch with how much he loves to play and how mature he is on the pitch with two assists,” Klopp remarked of Hungary’s captain. You need players that understand the game, and he most emphatically does.”
