Liverpool were improved almost to a man against Arsenal on Thursday as they picked up what could be an important point.
The Reds had not been in great form heading to the Emirates Stadium, with a nine-match unbeaten run hiding severe deficiencies in their performances.
One of the biggest issues for Liverpool all season long has been a lack of physicality in their midfield. They have simply been too easy to play through.
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Who was your Man of the Match during Liverpool’s battling draw with Arsenal?
Much better from the Reds today!
Milos Kerkez battles with Bukayo Saka during Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Much of the blame for that has been placed at the feet of Ryan Gravenberch and, in particular, Alexis Mac Allister.
Mac Allister has been far from his best for whatever reason this term, but the Argentine stepped up against Arsenal to look like something close to the PFA Player of the Year nominee from last term. It is no coincidence that Liverpool’s overall performance was one of their best of the campaign.
Liverpool’s midfield make them tick against Arsenal
It has not only been off the ball which has been a problem for Mac Allister and Gravenberch this season. On it they have been sloppy, weak and afraid to take chances.
That changed against the Gunners, with Opta revealing that Liverpool made 207 successful passes during the second-half of Thursday’s game alone.
Alexis Mac Allister runs with the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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READ MORE: Why Liverpool were so much better after half-time against Arsenal, as explained by Arne Slot
Interestingly, that was the highest number posted during a Premier League match at the Emirates for half a decade.
While Virgil van Dijk was, as usual, the man on the ball the most for Liverpool, Gravenberch and Mac Allister were key to that as well. Between them, they completed 96 of 105 attempted passes, with Dominik Szoboszlai adding another 47 to that tally, too.
Between them, Liverpool’s midfield looked back to the quality unit who led them to the Premier League title last season. If Arne Slot can get the trio working perfectly in tandem once again, the Reds’ results and performances are bound to get better immeasurably.
What was different about Liverpool’s midfield vs Arsenal?
The most passes from a visiting team at the Emirates in five seasons 😮
Alexis Mac Allister on the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney
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Alexis Mac Allister silences critics… for now
Having Mac Allister essentially take the season off has been one of the major reasons behind Liverpool’s struggles this season. At his best, the 27-year-old is one of the Premier League’s foremost midfielders, but when he is off it Mac Allister looks slow, weak and leggy.
Up against Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Zubimendi in midfield, it had the makings of being a long evening for Liverpool’s No. 10, but he stepped up massively.
Mac Allister has been heavily criticised by supporters this season as they struggle to make sense of his dramatic drop in form.
But if he can keep turning in performances like the one on Thursday, those same fans will be forced into silence.
Even at his best Mac Allister has been someone who has at times divided discourse within the fanbase. Return to playing like this every week, though, and the £35m will not only make Liverpool a better team, but he’ll silence those critics for good.
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