Alexis Mac Allister has given an honest reply when quizzed about where he feels his “best position” is in midfield.
Coming from Brighton, Mac Allister was developed into an all-action player by Jurgen Klopp, having played as an attacking midfielder on the south coast.
He has played a range of roles for Liverpool and now finds himself dictating play as the deepest-lying midfielder for Argentina.
Asked by ESPN how he would describe his role, Mac Allister replied: “When I was young, I used to play as a No. 10.
“Like in Argentina, we’d play a lot in maybe a diamond or 4-3-1-2, so I used to play as a No. 10.
“Then, when I came to England, that No. 10 was a little bit harder for me, so then I moved a little bit deeper and played as a No. 8.
“I like to do a bit of everything and try to help the team wherever I can.”
This season at Liverpool, he played a box-to-box role for the majority of the campaign. However, his poor form and loss of energy meant that he was often left exposed.
“I like to be close to the ball,” Mac Allister responded when asked if he had a preference.
“I feel like maybe the No. 8 position, also double No. 6 (double pivot), is my best position, but I can play anywhere.”
A change in position could be ideal for Mac Allister
3ETF1B8 Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup Group J match between Argentina and Austria at Dallas Stadium, Dallas on Monday 22nd June 2026. (Photo: Pat Isaacs | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News
Mac Allister was one of the players whose performance levels dropped most significantly for the Reds this season.
He went from being a key part of Liverpool’s Premier League triumph to someone who fans thought should have been dropped.
Aside from a great showing against Real Madrid, it is possible to count on one hand the number of times Mac Allister came close to his previous standards.
This all apparently stemmed from an injury from which he was rushed back at the start of the campaign, but there has been ample time to regain sharpness since.
For most of the season, Slot played without a real holding midfielder. The role Ryan Gravenberch occupied during the title-winning campaign was changed to allow him to get forward more often.
With Mac Allister not the quickest of footballers, even at his best, this left gaps in midfield constantly.
It is an issue that Andoni Iraola needs to fix quickly, whether that be by reining Gravenberch in or by changing to a double-pivot in midfield.
This would see two players start in holding midfield, with one able to advance while the other sits and vice versa.
Mac Allister described this role as one of his best. With two years still remaining on his contract, Liverpool can’t write their Argentine off yet.
A change in formation under Iraola could suit him if he moves backwards.
However, from what the last 12 months have shown us, Mac Allister does not have the legs to play as an all-action midfielder for Iraola.