In a world where his Argentine teammate Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea for £107 million and his former midfield partner Moises Caicedo left for £115 million, Alexis Mac Allister, signing for a pitiful £35 million, might be the season’s best acquisition.
Though he may not garner the same attention as Mohamed Salah or appear on billboards in Manhattan with LeBron James as Virgil van Dijk, Mac Allister is the player spearheading Liverpool’s pursuit of an unprecedented 20th English league championship.
His metronomic midfield urging has produced a goal or an assist for Liverpool in five straight games; it began with that 99th-minute eye-of-the-needle ball against Nottingham Forest and concluded with this similarly skillful assist for Salah.
Until then, his old team Brighton were going toe-to-toe with the Reds.
Maybe not in terms of shots or chances created, but there were times when the visitors caused waves of anxiety to ripple around Anfield in a match that had been dubbed a job audition for their boss Roberto De Zerbi.
By the end, every punter in the stadium was praising Mac Allister, be it fans on the Kop or those in the away end. The feeling was reciprocated, as he went over to the Albion faithful at full time.
Alexis Mac Allister produced a virtuoso performance against his former club on Saturday
Mohamed Salah (centre) scored the second-half winner that moved Liverpool top of the table
The Egyptian had a string of opportunities on what was otherwise a frustrating afternoon in front of goal
The Kop erupted after a clinical passing move put the Reds star into score against Brighton
The moment the Reds star scored against Brighton thanks to a brilliant passing play, the Kop went wild.
Before the game, De Zerbi called Mac Allister (below) a “special guy” for the way he had handled his exit. Juergen Klopp also praised Mac Allister as a “difference maker,” taking a subtle jab at “others who did not” (cough, Caicedo, cough).
Here, he proved to be that, laying off a soft pass that put Salah in position to score the game-winning goal. On a day when he had the opportunity to score three goals, Salah took 12 shots.
It wasn’t a failure if this was De Zerbi’s true audition for a prestigious position in Europe. Despite the Reds having thirty goal attempts, his team was courageous, enthusiastic, and, with a little more luck, could have escaped with a point.
The Italian kicked every ball as he combed his technical area like a guy crazy. When his team scored, he positioned himself to sprint down the touchline, but by the end, he was on his knees as opportunities passed him by. Liverpool’s defense appeared porous as Brighton opened with heavy-metal counterattacking play at its most thrilling and slick.
On Friday, Klopp acknowledged that even elite clubs, like his own, have to modify their tactics to counter De Zerbi’s “different and unique” playing style. This was evident in this instance, where the average position map of the Merseysiders showed a more 2-4-4 form.
The two managers engaged in a captivating game of cat and mouse as they attempted to outsmart each other. Liverpool had 14 shots in the first half against brave Brighton, but they also had plenty of open space to exploit, and one of those breaks resulted in their first goal.
In less than ninety seconds, Simon Adingra outran Conor Bradley in a zapping move down Brighton’s left, setting up Danny Welbeck for a thunderous strike. This allowed Liverpool to exploit the space behind their defense with precision.
This season, Liverpool has made it a point to come back from behind in games. They have already won 26 points from deficits, and this is their seventh straight win following a 1-0 deficit.
They accumulated opportunity after opportunity, but never really worried Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi (right) is one of the leading candidates to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi (right) is one of the leading candidates to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this summer
Danny Welbeck stunned the home fans with a fierce drive into the Liverpool top corner after only two minutes had been played
Danny Welbeck stunned the home fans with a fierce drive into the Liverpool top corner after only two minutes had been played
It was the former Manchester United forward’s third goal against Liverpool in 23 games
It was the former Manchester United forward’s third goal in 23 games against Liverpool. Although Luis Diaz’s goal was incredibly careless, they eventually found the magic touch after 27 minutes to tie the game. Salah headed a ball back into Joel Veltman’s path after Brighton was unable to clear, and the Colombian goalie pushed it in at the last second.Liverpool could have been home, hosed, and settled down for Manchester City vs. Arsenal if they had been more clinical. After a lengthy injury, Salah looked almost fully recovered and scored seven of Liverpool’s fourteen goals in the first half.This was Salah’s first Premier League start since New Year’s Day, having requested to miss Egypt’s most recent international camp. He chose to stay on Merseyside and work out every day.He might not have played at his best in front of goal, but he looked to be in excellent physical shape. Consequently, it speaks volumes that Liverpool’s fortunate striker, who appeared rusty at times, ended the game with one goal and one assist.
Mac Allister’s superb pass opened up space in the box for Salah to score Liverpool’s winner
Luis Diaz pounced onto a loose ball after Brighton failed to clear a Liverpool corner and steered in his effort on the stretch
Klopp’s side sit two points clear at the top of the table after Arsenal and Man City’s 0-0 draw
Following Arsenal and Man City’s 0-0 tie, Klopp’s team leads the table by two points.
After a brilliant team move that lasted 65 minutes, Salah put the Reds ahead. Mac Allister deflected the ball through to Salah, who passed into the far corner after Dominik Szoboszlai hammered a pass to him.
After the game, De Zerbi praised Mac Allister in a melancholic manner, saying, “He became a great player.” It was an amazing help. I’m happy for him. He merits being a key member of a large squad.
Yes, he is that. Few summer signings have had a greater impact than this one. The 25-year-old is constructing a trophy room in his new North West home and gives his World Cup winning medal a daily kiss.
There will soon be new cutlery in that room if he keeps doing this.
