Alexis Mac Allister was Liverpool’s hero on Sunday as he secured a scarcely deserved win over Nottingham Forest.
The Reds started especially poorly at the City Ground and were lucky to be level as the whistle sounded for half-time.
But, although it was a low bar to clear, Liverpool were better in the second-half and kept fighting right up until the end. Bizarrely Mac Allister found the net twice in quick succession, seeing his first effort ruled out for handball and watching on as a tight VAR review threatened to chalk off the second.
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Mohamed Salah shakes Arne Slot's hand as he comes off during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Creidt; Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Luckily from Liverpool’s point of view, Virgil van Dijk had stayed behind Ola Aina as he headed the ball goalwards, with Mac Allister’s follow-in judged to be completely legal.
It was a brilliant moment for the Argentine, who has been heavily criticised throughout the season. And as he toasted an unlikely win after the game, Arne Slot was keen to point out how Mac Allister has steadily improved over recent months.
Slot says Mac Allister is getting back to his best
Sunday felt like a big day for Mac Allister. Up against Liverpool-linked Elliot Anderson, he had the chance to show why he can still be the Reds’ main man in midfield.
For plenty of the game, the 27-year-old failed to do that. But when it mattered he came up big. Twice. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Slot said his No. 10 simply needed a consistent run of good performances to start to look something like his old self.
Alexis Mac Allister wins it for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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“It was not a surprise to me that Macca was both times our goal-scorer, because he played with the mentality you need to play in these games and that’s why he was twice in that situation to finish,” said the Dutchman.
“What he needed is what he showed in the last six, seven or eight games, a run of games where he’s getting back to his usual level that he showed so many times last season. He had that level in the first half of the season, but it went with ups and downs, as it did with the team in terms of performances.
“But I see much more consistency recently, not only in Macca’s performances, but in the team’s performances and many individual performances.”
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Mac Allister can still be important for Liverpool
Although Sunday’s performance will not go down as a vintage one from Mac Allister, it can hopefully act as something of a springboard for him to kickstart what has been a disappointing season.
After so many struggles this term, many Liverpool supporters would have the World Cup winner sold this summer. But he has shown why it should not be as simple as that.
Even when he’s been struggling, Mac Allister has still come up with big moments for the Reds. He has never hidden and continues not to do so.
Liverpool should stand by him after one bad season. Hopefully Sunday’s goal can be the route to a way back.
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