Liverpool have been on a tear this season, with Arne Slot’s midfield pairing of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch key to the Anfield side’s success.
The Argentine international has taken his game to new levels with the Reds under the Dutch manager, with Mac Allister and Gravenberch forming one of the best midfield duos in the Premier League with Curtis Jones proving cover when needed.
Mac Allister was the star of the show for Liverpool on Saturday against Ipswich Town with the 26-year-old maestro really coming into his own playing in a deeper role under Slot, with Wataru Endo lauding the former Brighton & Hove Albion man as ‘amazing’.
And it’s not just the Japanese international who has been impressed with what Mac Allister has done this season, with the Liverpool no. 10’s own father now joining in on the praise for how the midfielder is performing under Slot.
Mac Allister ‘more defensive’ under Jurgen Klopp compared to Slot
Speaking to RG, Carlos Mac Allister, a former player in the Argentine top-flight, has praised how his son has developed under Slot this season, with the former defender noting how Mac Allister looks more confident and ambitious after a year of playing more conservatively under Klopp.
With Jamie Carragher also amazed by Mac Allister’s development this season, Slot has proven to be a great trainer for the Argentine international, with the midfielder’s own father now impressed with what he’s seen from his son under the Dutchman.
Mac Allister’s father said: “He was perhaps a bit more defensive under Klopp, but the difference is that, as you achieve more success, you become more confident. And as you are having success, and you are having confidence, you are increasingly encouraged to do more things, right? And that is what I see.
“When you’re worried about not making mistakes, you probably won’t be doing amazing things. When you’re daring enough to shoot from distance or make that precise pass, you can shine. Alexis is encouraged to do more difficult things and proving to be an outstanding footballer, and he’s showing that he still has room for growth.”
Mac Allister’s father also shares how Liverpool move came about
Mac Allister has been one of Liverpool’s best signings in recent memory, with the midfielder joining for just £35m from Brighton last season with the South American since becoming a key player for the Reds.
And Mac Allister’s father also shone some light on how the transfer happened, with the former defender saying: “When he was about to play in Qatar, we sat down with Brighton and negotiated a good release clause, so that he could deliver a good performance in the World Cup and go to a bigger team, which he did.
“We chose Liverpool because Klopp wanted him a lot, and they were going through a rebuild. Klopp fell in love with him and gave him a lot of opportunities, which he did not waste. He delivered a fantastic World Cup and a very good Copa America and has shown unique attributes.
“People mostly talk about Alexis’ offensive abilities, but he also has the seventh-most recoveries in the Premier League. There are many footballers who attack well, many who defend well, but there aren’t many like Alexis who attack and defend well.”
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