‘Finds it really tough’: Jamie Carragher says £35m Liverpool player really struggles when asked to defend

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Jamie Carragher has claimed that Alexis Mac Allister doesn’t have the defensive abilities to become a top holding midfielder for Liverpool.

Speaking on Sky Sports via the Independent, the pundit was critical of the Argentine international’s performance for the Reds this weekend against Luton Town, where Mac Allister struggled.

Signed for £35m from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, the midfielder has been entrusted by Jurgen Klopp to succeed Fabinho in the holding role for the time being.

However, Mac Allister has not looked up to the task so far this season, and questions are now being raised over what the Argentine’s role in the Liverpool squad should be.

Carragher said: “Liverpool in midfield are improved from what we saw last season, but they still haven’t got a top holding midfielder.

“Mac Allister isn’t a top holding midfielder. He’s good on the ball in terms of receiving, but defensively, he finds it really tough and he lacks a bit of pace for that position.”

Liverpool need to find a new use for Mac Allister

Having scored 12 goals in all competitions for Brighton last season, it’s clear that Mac Allister thrives in the midfield when tasked to move forward rather than sticking back.

And at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp must be thinking about doing something similar, with the Argentine struggling greatly in the holding midfield position.

Indeed, Mac Allister is clearly a welcome fit for Liverpool and will come good eventually, but the defensive midfield role is one that the South American simply can’t fulfill at the moment.