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Mac Allister sees run-in as Liverpool's proving ground

Alexis Mac Allister believes Liverpool can use the final months of the season to show what they are capable of.

After an inconsistent campaign which saw them lose nine times in 12 matches between September and November they have been defeated just twice since then.

Saturday's [5-2 victory over West Ham](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0228/1560918-liverpools-corner-boys-east-past-west-ham/) was their sixth win in the last seven in all competitions as momentum has started to build, reigniting their push for Champions League qualification.

"I think in the last four or five months is when teams show what they can do. That’s what we want," midfielder Mac Allister told BBC Sport.

"Now that we spend some time together, I think things are easier for us – we understand each other.

"We know how important it is to qualify for the Champions League for the club or for us as a team.

"The goal is there and we are going to do everything to qualify and be closer to the teams on top."

Mac Allister is starting to benefit from some personal momentum as after scoring the added-time winner at Nottingham Forest last weekend he added Liverpool’s third goal – all from corners – just before half-time.

![Alexis Mac Allister celebrates with Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike after scoring their third](https://www.rte.ie/images/0023f974-614.jpg?ratio=1.78)

Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike combined for the Argentina midfielder's goal

The Argentina international has three in his last seven matches, as many as he has managed in the previous 38 appearances.

"I always say that I really like getting in the box and scoring goals. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t," he added.

"But in the last few games I was able to score some goals, so (I’m) happy because I can help the team and at the same time I can gain some confidence."

Hugo Ekitike’s 16th goal of the season, Virgil van Dijk’s third in the last eight and Mac Allister’s volley meant Liverpool became only the second team to score from three first-half corners in Premier League history.

Tomas Soucek and Taty Castellanos scored either side of Cody Gakpo’s smart finish but the visitors, who had taken 11 points from the previous 18 to boost their chances of avoiding relegation, never looked like staging an unlikely comeback and Axel Disasi’s late own goal confirmed that.

West Ham finished a higher xG and more possession but their inability to cope with Liverpool’s new-found effectiveness from set-pieces cost them dearly.

They head to Fulham on Wednesday looking to get their survival bid back on track.

"This is football, and we know now that we have another game that we need to win to help us get out of the position we’re in," Mateus Fernandes told West Ham’s website.

"I think we’re getting better every week. We know the quality of our squad and head coach, so we’ll get on with getting ready for the next game."

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