Former Liverpool star questions midfielder’s role in side | OneFootball

Carragher highlights Mac Allister fitness concern as Liverpool midfield issue resurfaces

Liverpool’s draw with Tottenham has reignited debate around Alexis Mac Allister’s influence in midfield, with Jamie Carragher warning that the Argentine’s fading impact late in matches is becoming a structural problem for the side.

The former Liverpool defender made his observations while analysing the match, pointing to Mac Allister’s struggles to maintain intensity as the game stretched. While the midfielder showed flashes of class early on, Carragher suggested Liverpool must address the physical demands placed on him if they want to maintain control in crucial Premier League fixtures.

The comments emerged following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Spurs, a match that illustrated both the creativity and vulnerability currently present in the Reds’ midfield.

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Carragher raises fitness concern

Carragher did not hold back in his assessment of Mac Allister’s second-half drop-off. Speaking during the broadcast, he suggested Liverpool were repeatedly being exposed once the tempo increased.

“The longer the games go on the more Mac Allister struggles, I think that’s a real problem for Liverpool that they need to address in midfield,” Carragher explained.

For much of the first half, Mac Allister looked close to his best. His ability to glide past opponents and retain possession brought composure to Liverpool’s play, and he was instrumental in winning the free-kick that eventually led to Dominik Szoboszlai scoring.

Yet as the match wore on, Carragher noticed the rhythm shifting. Liverpool began losing their grip on midfield, with space opening between the lines and Spurs finding increasing opportunities to break forward.

For a team built on control and energy in the centre of the pitch, those moments of fatigue quickly become magnified.

Midfield balance slipping

Carragher also questioned the midfield structure that developed later in the match, particularly after substitutions altered Liverpool’s shape.

“Curtis Jones comes on and the game goes end to end, he takes on the Wirtz role and I don’t know why, he’s not that player,” Carragher said.

“There’s too much space when the game opens up and Mac Allister can’t cover it.”

Those remarks speak to a broader tactical dilemma. Mac Allister is a technically gifted midfielder capable of dictating play, but the system around him must provide sufficient defensive cover when transitions become chaotic.

Liverpool have long thrived on high-energy midfield play, yet the current balance appears more fragile when opponents accelerate the pace late in games.

Against Spurs, that vulnerability was eventually punished when Tottenham found their equaliser.

Mac Allister influence fading late on

It would be unfair to place the blame for Tottenham’s goal squarely on Mac Allister. Football rarely operates with such simplicity. Yet Carragher’s concern centres on a pattern rather than a single incident.

Mac Allister’s early contributions often help Liverpool build momentum. His passing range, composure under pressure, and ability to advance the ball through tight spaces are invaluable assets.

However, as games stretch into the latter stages, Liverpool sometimes lose their midfield authority. When that happens, opponents begin to bypass the centre and attack the defensive line more freely.

For a club chasing consistency in the Premier League, those lapses can carry serious consequences.

Mac Allister remains a key figure within Liverpool’s tactical blueprint, but Carragher believes the surrounding structure must evolve to protect him.

Liverpool search for midfield protection

The underlying issue may not be Mac Allister alone but the protection offered around him.

Liverpool’s midfield composition has changed significantly in recent seasons, with different players rotating through deeper roles. Each adjustment brings subtle shifts in defensive coverage and pressing intensity.

Carragher’s comments suggest Liverpool must reconsider how they shield their creative midfielders, especially in matches where the tempo escalates.

Whether that solution lies in tactical tweaks, personnel changes, or improved game management remains an open question. What is clear is that Mac Allister’s workload must be managed carefully if Liverpool want him operating at peak effectiveness for the full 90 minutes.

For now, Carragher’s warning serves as a reminder that even talented midfielders require the right framework around them.

And if Liverpool hope to maintain control in tight Premier League contests, solving this midfield puzzle may prove just as important as scoring goals.