MAC ALLISTER IMPRESSES

Liverpool’s Player of the Season vote this year won’t be the most competitive, with Mohamed Salah’s name likely to top the list once again. However, if you look beyond the obvious choice, there are a few players who deserve recognition for their performances, and Alexis Mac Allister is certainly one of them. The Argentine’s leadership, commitment, and impact on the pitch have been notable, making him a standout performer in what has been an eventful campaign.

In his debut season under Jurgen Klopp, Mac Allister, who was signed as a bargain buy from Brighton, impressed as a lone number six in the midfield. His maturity, vision, and composure on the ball allowed Liverpool to control games in ways they hadn’t been able to before. But when Arne Slot took over as manager, he saw something different in Mac Allister and reinvented Ryan Gravenberch as a holding midfielder, which in turn allowed Mac Allister more freedom to push forward and impact the game in more dynamic ways.

While his stats don’t show a dramatic increase in goals or assists — he’s currently just one shy of last season’s Premier League totals — his influence on Liverpool’s play is undeniable. Against West Ham, Mac Allister once again showed why he’s so vital to the team’s success. His pressing led to a mistake from Lucas Paqueta, who cheaply lost possession in West Ham’s final third. Credit goes to referee Andy Madley for allowing the play to continue without giving a soft free-kick, something that has been frustratingly common this season.

After winning the ball back, Mac Allister’s determination to make an impact was evident. He took a quick snapshot from an angle that forced a corner, and then it was his well-delivered corner that Virgil van Dijk converted to score the winner. This type of hustle and leadership, combined with his technical quality, is exactly what fans have come to love about him. As former Liverpool player John Aldridge wrote in the ECHO, Mac Allister’s refusal to accept defeat was the catalyst for the victory. His relentless drive ensured Liverpool would not miss out on a crucial win.

That kind of attitude, coupled with his undeniable talent, is what makes Mac Allister such an admired figure among the Anfield faithful. There’s a certain likeness to Salah in the way he never rests on his laurels, always striving for improvement and pushing those around him to match his intensity. His leadership on the pitch, especially as a World Cup winner, brings a sense of urgency and professionalism to the team. It’s no wonder he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite.

While Salah’s inevitable acclaim as Player of the Season is well-deserved, it’s worth noting the contributions of other key players like Mac Allister. For much of the campaign, Gravenberch was considered the “best of the rest” behind Salah, but Mac Allister’s performances in recent weeks have seen him edge ahead. His consistency and ability to maintain high standards week after week make him one of the most underrated players in Slot’s system.

Mac Allister’s unwavering determination and world-class ability should not go unnoticed. He is one of the unsung heroes of Liverpool’s season, playing a pivotal role in the team’s success without always receiving the praise he deserves. Whether it’s his leadership, his tireless pressing, or his ability to produce moments of quality in crucial situations, Mac Allister has proven time and again that he is one of the most important players in the squad.

As Liverpool nears the finish line of what looks to be a title-winning campaign, the influence of players like Mac Allister cannot be overstated. While Salah’s goals will be the headline, Mac Allister’s all-around contributions, his leadership on and off the pitch, and his refusal to accept anything less than victory make him a player of real significance in the Reds’ success. Whether he wins the official Player of the Season award or not, he is without question one of the standout performers of the season.