Journalist heaps praise on ‘excellent’ Liverpool star after Aston Villa victory | OneFootball

Alexis Mac Allister’s Turnaround Arrives at Crucial Moment

Liverpool needed something to spark belief again and Alexis Mac Allister obliged. The champions arrived at Anfield under pressure after four straight Premier League defeats, the table showing a ten point gap to Arsenal and whispers of a title hangover swirling like fog around Stanley Park. Yet the 2-0 win over Aston Villa felt like a handbrake release, a return to rhythm, purpose and intensity. It also felt like a personal revival.

Credit to David Lynch, speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, for highlighting not just the significance of the win but the midfielder’s contribution in a campaign where consistency has abandoned him.

Why Mac Allister Mattered

Mac Allister has rarely been off the boil in his career, which is why his dip this season has been so stark. This time, he stood tall, knitting possession, pressing aggressively and choosing the right moments to glide forward. He set tempo and tone, an orchestra conductor rediscovering his baton.

Lynch put it plainly: “It was easily his best performance of the season so far because he has been miles off it.” Brutally accurate. Liverpool’s midfield have been searching for balance like a tightrope walker in a gale, and Mac Allister’s struggles have often magnified that instability. When he clicks, the entire dynamic changes.

Slot’s Selection Challenge

Managers thrive on certainty and consistency, and Arne Slot has had little of either in recent weeks. Dropping Mac Allister made sense based on form, yet reintroducing him at the precise moment required intuition and courage. Lynch explained the dilemma: “This is what is difficult for managers because it’s so easy to say that you’ve got to get him out of the team, but you’ve then got to judge when to bring him back into the side.”

This was precisely the reintroduction Slot needed. “The longer you leave him out, then the further away you are from him putting in a performance like that, but it finally came.” It did, and it lifted a side who had seemed drained of spark.

Perfect Blend and Bigger Picture

What Liverpool demanded was balance, urgency and a reminder of their identity. Lynch described it perfectly: “I thought he was excellent. He gives you so much on both sides of the ball and Liverpool have really missed that this season.”

They have. At his best, Mac Allister blends composure, aggression and creativity, a cocktail essential to Liverpool’s control and transitional threat. “He just provides everything they needed to give them a perfect blend in that midfield.” For a team chasing Arsenal, these attributes matter.

Lynch closed with hope tinged with expectation: “Hopefully this is a sign that he is back now because he is so crucial when he plays like that.” Liverpool supporters will nod vigorously. With seven points now separating them from Arsenal, momentum and belief have returned at the right time. Slot’s side are alive again, and Mac Allister has climbed off the canvas.