‘Football doctor’… Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool have a really ‘special’ footballer in their team

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Jurgen Klopp might just have coined a new nickname for one member of his Liverpool squad.

Klopp was in good form this morning during his pre-Arsenal press conference. Having announced his intention to leave the Reds at the end of the season last week, the manager does appear to be a little less guarded with his words.

Of course, it wasn’t all good news, with Klopp revealing that Darwin Nunez is a doubt to face the gunners on Sunday. But otherwise, the German cut a wholly positive figure.

One of those to be on the receiving end of his good spirits was midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine has been in terrific form of late and when asked how impressed he’d been by his new No.10, Jurgen didn’t hold back.

“Very [impressed]. I’m over the moon about so many things,” raved the Liverpool boss. “Macca is the same in midfield [as Diogo Jota], just like a football doctor. Wonderful story with the dad and the uncle and the cousins and the brothers, all footballers, analysing game already as kids, dad asks ‘what did you see in the game’. I could not thank his father enough for that knowledge, for that education.

“Playing the position the way he plays, very special. Very, very special. Super aggressive super smart. His contribution for all our play in possession is extremely important.”

Klopp praises Mac Allister smarts

The doctor is a super nickname for Mac Allister. Some of his passes really are played with surgical precision.

More than that though, the 25-year-old is just such an intelligent player. Not enough has been made of how comfortably he’s handled retraining as a defensive midfielder.

Obviously, Mac Allister was not signed to be the heir to Fabinho’s destroyer role. That had never been the plan. Nevertheless, that’s where the World Cup winner has found himself playing for the majority of the season.

Others may have really grumbled about that. Having chosen the No.10 shirt, Mac Allister clearly sees himself as a more offensive minded player. He could have taken issue with his unwanted task or played it with half-heartedness.

But to Macca’s immense credit, he has completely thrown himself into the job at hand.

It took him a little while to master it – and he surely still hasn’t completely – but the last couple of games have shown that he is a completely capable and effective No.6. Against Chelsea, he made more tackles than any Liverpool player in the past three seasons. He also beat that in the previous match versus Bournemouth, setting a new record.

Fabinho Mac Allister is not, but he is bringing certain creative elements to the position that the Brazilian never really did. For now, it’s really working well.

One of the side stories of a new manager coming in is what will happen with Macca. If he keeps on playing the way he is, then the doctor may well become a full-time defensive midfielder.

Even if he doesn’t, the Klopp’s successor can rest in the knowledge that Mac Allister is a genuine option, wherever you want him to play.