Alexis Mac Allister is building quite a Champions League record at Anfield, and I think Liverpool fans should appreciate just how good he has become in a red shirt.
The Argentine midfielder now has eight Champions League goals at Anfield, matching Sadio Mané’s tally in the competition at Liverpool’s home ground. Even more interestingly, Mac Allister has reached that figure in fewer appearances than Fernando Torres needed to score his first eight Champions League goals at Anfield.
Mac Allister has done it in 23 appearances, compared with 24 for Torres.
It might only be a difference of one game, but when you’re being compared with players of that calibre, it is another impressive milestone.
And after watching him score twice against Villarreal on Tuesday night, I’m not surprised to see his name alongside some of Liverpool’s finest European performers.
Mac Allister delivers when Liverpool need him
Liverpool’s 4-3 victory over Villarreal was an extraordinary night at Anfield. The Reds were two goals behind before the half-hour mark, and the defending in that opening period was nowhere near good enough.
But Mac Allister gave Liverpool a way back into the game.
His header shortly before half-time cut Villarreal’s lead, before Ronald Araújo levelled the score. Mac Allister then struck again in the second half, finishing from close range after Rio Ngumoha’s brilliant run and assist.
Florian Wirtz added a fourth shortly afterwards, completing a remarkable turnaround before Villarreal made the closing stages unnecessarily uncomfortable.
Mac Allister’s contribution was crucial. He didn’t just score twice; he helped turn the mood inside Anfield when Liverpool desperately needed a response.
That is what makes this statistic particularly pleasing. These goals have come in a competition where the pressure is enormous, and Mac Allister is showing that he can influence games at the highest level.
A comparison with Mané and Torres is no small thing
Sadio Mané was a massive player in Liverpool’s return to the summit of European football under Jürgen Klopp. His pace, movement and finishing made him a nightmare for defenders, and he played a key role in the Reds’ Champions League triumph in 2019.
Fernando Torres, meanwhile, remains one of the most exciting forwards Liverpool have had in the modern era. His goals, particularly during his first spell at Anfield, made him a nightmare for Premier League defences.
Mac Allister is a different type of player to both of them, of course. He is a midfielder rather than an out-and-out forward, which makes his scoring record all the more interesting.
Matching Mané’s eight Champions League goals at Anfield is a lovely achievement. Reaching that mark in fewer appearances than Torres adds another little detail worth celebrating.
The bigger picture is that Mac Allister is becoming much more than a midfielder who keeps Liverpool ticking over. He can dictate the tempo, find space around the box, contribute defensively and arrive in dangerous areas to score important goals.
For me, that all-round ability is what makes him so valuable.
Liverpool need more nights like this
There have been times this season when Liverpool’s midfield has struggled to control games, and Mac Allister has not always been at his best. I’m not going to pretend every performance has been brilliant.
But Tuesday night was a reminder of what he brings to this team.
Liverpool need players who can take responsibility when things are going wrong. Falling two goals behind at Anfield against Villarreal was not part of the plan, but Mac Allister helped drag the Reds back into the contest.
That mentality matters, particularly in the Champions League.
Andoni Iraola will want Liverpool to defend far better than they did in the opening half-hour, because they cannot keep giving opponents that sort of advantage. The attacking quality is there, but the team needs greater consistency across the full 90 minutes.
Still, three wins from three in the Champions League is an excellent start, and Mac Allister has played his part.
There is a long way to go before he can be spoken about in the same breath as Liverpool legends on the strength of his overall achievements. But records like this show that he is making his own mark on the club’s European history.
Eight Champions League goals at Anfield, matching Sadio Mané and reaching the milestone quicker than Fernando Torres. That is a statistic worth celebrating.
And if Mac Allister can keep producing performances like the one against Villarreal, Liverpool will have every reason to believe there are plenty more big European nights left in him.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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