Liverpool claimed a huge win over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday night in the Champions League to lift the pressure on Arne Slot's job.
The Reds had suffered defeat in nine of their last 15 games before the trip to Italy, but an 88th minute Dominik Szoboszlai penalty handed them all three points, despite the fact that there was no Mohamed Salah once again, following his sensational outburst against the club.
But while the team put together a strong performance in his absence, and his future at the club continues to look somewhat bleak, Slot must consider dropping another regular first-team star if he wants to see the win build into more victories and momentum going forward.
Forget Salah: Slot Must Axe Mac Allister
alexis mac allister
For the game against Inter, Slot abandoned his usual 4-3-3 system to go with a diamond, with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike partnered as a front two, and Alexis Mac Allister playing just behind them at the tip of the midfield four.
It helped the Merseyside outfit to be solid in defence, and Inter struggled to create any real clear-cut opportunities throughout the game as a result. But going forward, the Reds didn't look particularly threatening either, and the game looked destined to be a 0-0 draw before a controversial penalty was given in their favour.
The penalty was awarded after Alessandro Bastoni tugged the shirt of substitute Florian Wirtz in the box, before the German theatrically fell to the ground. But it was his presence, movement, and intricate qualities that helped to turn the game in Liverpool's favour, and is something Mac Allister doesn't possess anymore.
The Argentine, who earns £180,000-a-week, has not had the best of seasons, and there have been calls from within the fan base to axe him from the lineup long before now. However, with the team struggling defensively, his experience and quality has been needed more often than not. But Liverpool need to get back on the front foot, and that means he can come out of the firing line.
Wirtz and Jones Should be Starting
liverpool wirtz
Wirtz has had a difficult campaign after joining in a then-British record move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, but he is starting to find his feet and recent performances have been encouraging.
Curtis Jones on the other hand has always been on the brink of a starting spot, and his recent form means he should be one of the first names on the team sheet too. With Ryan Gravenberch the best defensive midfielder at the club, and Szoboszlai quite comfortably the player of the season at Anfield this year, there is no room for Mac Allister.
While Salah decided to react crazily to being dropped, the likelihood is that Mac Allister would get his head down, work harder and fight for his place. That's the type of competition and mentality a top squad needs to have to be at it's best, and Slot must not shy away from making another big decision if it benefits Liverpool.
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