Alexis Mac Allister has been discussing the growing understanding between Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz at Liverpool
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring his side's fifth goal with team-mate Hugo Ekitike during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase match against Qarabag at Anfield on January 28 2026
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring his side's fifth goal with team-mate Hugo Ekitike during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase match against Qarabag at Anfield on January 28 2026(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Alexis Mac Allister has explained how Liverpool are seeking to capitalise on the growing partnership between Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz - and is adamant there remains positivity among the Reds squad despite a tough campaign. Ekitike and Wirtz have struck up an understanding during recent months which was again evident in the 6-0 Champions League romp against Qarabag at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
The duo have now directly assisted five goals for each other between them after excellent play from Ekitike invited Wirtz to score Liverpool's second on their way to earning the victory that put them directly into the knockout stages.
And Mac Allister believes the pair are only just getting started with the Reds now adapting to their contribution.
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"Yeah, they love playing small passes between each other," said the Argentina international. "They have an immense quality, everyone can see that, so now we are trying to adapt to them a little bit more and them to us as a team.
"So, the quality is there, it’s just about getting to the right spaces to score goals or be dangerous. They are really good guys, so we are happy to have them (and) we know their quality and now we are going to demand a lot from them as well."
Mac Allister scored twice against Qarabag and was close to completing a first-ever career hat-trick but was unable to connect properly to a Mohamed Salah cross in the second half.
And he said: "I love getting in the box and I love scoring goals. I know I don’t do it very often but I really like it and I think with the change at half-time, I went a little bit higher on the pitch and that allowed me to get in the box a little bit more.
"My second goal was a little bit lucky but good and then I’m still thinking about the third one! It could have been a hat-trick, my first one."
Mac Allister added: "The attitude and everything from the guys was really good, especially running backwards and sprinting.
"We pressed really well, had the opportunities and scored some goals, which is important for our confidence.
"It was a good performance, again especially in the second half. First half we were maybe a little bit too open and that’s not what we want, but there are positives (and) there are negatives. Now we have to analyse the game, think about it and go for the next one."
Liverpool will now concentrate on the Premier League with home games against Newcastle United and Manchester City followed by a trip to Sunderland over the next fortnight.
And when asked by liverpoolfc.com if the resounding win over Qarabag can act as a springboard, Mac Allister said: "Yeah, that’s what we want.
"We know that we went through a difficult period, especially after the season that we had last season – we thought that this one was going to be almost the same, but it wasn’t and we have to deal with that.
"There is still positivity, still Champions League to play and FA Cup, so for me it’s about keeping on improving because that’s what we need to do if we want to win something."