Watching Alexis Mac Allister at the World Cup, it is difficult to believe he is the same player many Liverpool supporters watched for large spells of last season.
The energy is back.
The intensity is back.
The quality on the ball is back.
In fact, Mac Allister has reportedly covered more ground than any other player at the tournament so far, while once again looking like one of Argentina’s most influential performers.
That inevitably raises an uncomfortable question.
What happened at Liverpool?
A Frustrating Season
There is no getting away from it.
Mac Allister endured a disappointing campaign by his own high standards.
Too often he looked short of confidence.
His passing lacked its usual sharpness.
He rarely dictated games in the way Liverpool supporters had become accustomed to.
For a player capable of controlling the tempo at the highest level, it was a frustrating watch.
A Completely Different Player
Fast forward to this summer and the contrast has been striking.
Playing for Argentina, Mac Allister has looked energetic, composed and decisive.
He has covered huge distances, pressed aggressively and used the ball with intelligence.
This is much closer to the player Liverpool signed.
The player who helped Argentina win the World Cup.
The player who was regarded as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.
So What Changed?
There are a few possible explanations.
The simplest is that international football suits him better.
Another is that he has benefited from a proper break and a different tactical environment.
However, it is also fair to ask whether Liverpool’s coaching setup last season failed to get the best out of him.
When a player consistently performs at an elite level for his country but struggles for his club, questions naturally arise about how he was being used.
That does not automatically mean one person is to blame, but it is a question worth asking.
A Fresh Start Under Iraola
The encouraging news for Liverpool supporters is that Andoni Iraola now has the opportunity to build around a player who is clearly capable of performing at the highest level.
If Liverpool can get the version of Mac Allister currently starring for Argentina, they will have one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders once again.
His work rate, intelligence and technical quality are beyond doubt.
The challenge is recreating that level consistently in a Liverpool shirt.
Cause for Optimism
Perhaps the biggest positive is that Mac Allister has reminded everyone exactly what he can do.
Talent does not disappear overnight.
Form can.
Confidence can.
Systems can influence performances.
If this World Cup has shown anything, it is that Alexis Mac Allister remains a world-class footballer when he is confident and used effectively.
Liverpool supporters will now hope that the player dominating games for Argentina is the same one they see at Anfield next season.
Because if that happens, Liverpool’s midfield could look significantly stronger than it did just a few months ago.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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