Jurgen Klopp would be making big mistake by starting 24-year-old in defensive midfield vs Man City

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And so it comes around again, Liverpool’s annual nail-biting trip to the Etihad stadium.

Some fans will relish these occasions, others will be hiding behind the sofa waiting for the 90 minutes to pass before crawling out.

But whatever your standpoint, you have to determine that Liverpool have a real chance this year. For all that they remain top of the Premier League table, Manchester City are not quite at their brilliant best in 2023/24.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have returned to something like the side that pushed them so hard over the past five years. City themselves reportedly still see the Reds as their closest challengers, and their form this season would suggest that that’s on the money.

Liverpool can prove that with a battling performance – and hopefully some points – tomorrow. But despite the positivity surrounding the club right now there does remain one question: just who is playing in defensive midfield?

As the Reds gear up for their hardest game of the season, that question is now more pressing than ever. For our money, for tomorrow at least, it simply can’t be Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister crucial to Etihad chances

This is not a piece designed to target Mac Allister for any ill-will or to lambast him for a slightly steady start at Liverpool.

We actually think that the 24-year-old has the makings of a very good defensive midfielder and his performances in the position are improving slowly. Emile Heskey has called his adaptation ‘fantastic’ and that’s a fair assessment.

But tomorrow, against Rodri, Phil Foden, and whoever else Pep Guardiola throws into the midfield, it’s simply too early for Mac Allister.

In a year or two, perhaps the Argentine will dominate a game such as this one. Maybe Liverpool can travel to the toughest stadiums around with Macca anchoring the midfielder without a worry in the world.

But that isn’t where we’re at right now. The World Cup winner has looked to be struggling against far worse sides than City and could be in danger of being given a serious run-around at the Etihad.

The fact that Mac Allister is just coming off the back of an international break in which he played 135 minutes for Argentina should be taken into account, too.

That isn’t to say that Liverpool’s No.10 shouldn’t play tomorrow, though. In fact, quite the opposite. We’d argue that Klopp’s need to keep Mac Allister away from the 6 is two-pronged. He’s also badly needed further up the field. His industry and creativity could be helpful in a game where Liverpool will still get plenty of the ball.

With Wataru Endo perhaps behind him, Mac Allister can add the protection that should now be a natural part of his game, while also offering something going forward. Endo isn’t the perfect solution either but for now, he’s the most natural fit we’ve got. Anything else, and Liverpool may leave themselves too open to attack. We’ll trust Jurgen’s call, but Alexis starting as the holder would be a real worry.