Mac Allister vs Munoz – Liverpool Stars Aiming To Create More World Cup History | OneFootball

On Sunday, 19 July, Spain and Argentina will contest the World Cup final on football’s biggest stage. While the mainstream media will discuss the battle of La Masia graduates, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, Liverpool supporters will have their own interest when watching the fixture.

Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Víctor Muñoz will both be part of the showpiece occasion, ensuring Liverpool once again have representation on football’s biggest stage. For one, it is an opportunity to cement an already remarkable international legacy. For the other, it could provide the perfect introduction before beginning life at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister, chasing another place in Liverpool history…

Mac Allister joined the Reds in 2023 as a World Cup winner. The Argentine won the competition in Qatar in December of 2022 and will be hoping to retain the title to cement his name among the club’s distinguished list of World Cup winners.

He would join Roger Hunt, who played the full 120 minutes during England’s historic 4-2 win over West Germany, German winner Karl Heinz-Riedle and Fernando Torres, who was brought on from the bench in extra-time as a member of Spain’s 1-0 win against the Netherlands in 2010.

Throughout the tournament, Mac Allister has once again demonstrated his talent on the world’s biggest stage. The Argentine has featured in 629 minutes for Argentina over the last month and has contributed towards their progression by recording one goal and one assist during the tournament. The midfielder has also reminded fans of his passing ability, always managing to dictate the tempo of matches whilst also showing flashes of his ability to hurt the opposition in their box, registering three shots against England, one of which worried Everton’s Jordan Pickford greatly. His contributions have made him a crucial figure in Lionel Scaloni’s midfield and new boss Iraola will hope his performances can be replicated at Anfield this season.

There is more than another winners’ medal at stake for Mac Allister. Should they prevail, they would become only the third nation to retain the World Cup, joining Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).

Frustration for Víctor…

Muñoz agreed to move to Merseyside on 18 June, three days after Spain’s World Cup opener against Cape Verde. Unfortunately for Víctor, he arrived at the World Cup carrying a calf concern, then suffered another muscular issue during an individual recovery programme. This has prevented the left-winger from featuring in any match for his nation.

However, he has not been completely ruled out from appearing against the South American side…

SPORT reporter Jordi Gil reported that Muñoz was expected to feature against Belgium, yet de la Fuente ultimately chose not to introduce him. Although his involvement remains uncertain, simply returning to contention would represent an encouraging step following an injury-disrupted month before linking up with Iraola for pre-season.

The unwanted record…

Both players will also hope to avoid the other side of Liverpool’s World Cup history. Four Reds have previously finished on the losing side of a World Cup final. Most recently, this included former defender Ibrahima Konaté’s role during France’s loss against Argentina in the 2022 final. Midfielder Dietmar Hamann and forward Dirk Kuyt are also on the list after losing the 2002 and 2010 World Cup finals respectively. Finally, Croatian player Dejan Lovren was also defeated by France in the 2018 final in Moscow.

Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, Liverpool will once again be represented on football’s biggest stage, with either Mac Allister or Muñoz returning to Merseyside carrying the experience of a World Cup final into the new season.