Jurgen Klopp was without several key players on Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth this afternoon. But in the first-half one player really caught the eye with his performance.
Liverpool needed a steadied and calm presence in the middle of the park. Without Wataru Endo, who is away at the Asian Cup – Klopp was lacking his probably first choice holding midfielder at the most.
But in the Japanese’s absence, Alexis Mac Allister – who has been deployed in the holding midfield role time and time again – stepped up and delivered.
Mac Allister put on a true masterclass and impressed even Jamie Carragher.
Jamie Carragher impressed by Alexis Mac Allister
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher was thoroughly impressed by Mac Allister in the first half.
“It’s a tight pitch and there is a lot of bodies in and around the box for Bournemouth. Mac Allister has actually been Liverpool’s best player in midfield today, without really creating too much.”
Carragher is right. Mac Allister was Liverpool’s best player in the first half. But he in fact did create the most chances in the game’s first 45 minutes as well.
Albeit it was merely just two chances, and there is no denying he stood-out more for his ability to control the game. As well as creating the most chances Mac Allister also won the most duels (7) and made the most recoveries for Liverpool in a perfect all-round performance.
And thankfully, he didn’t disappoint in the second-half either.
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