Hendrick: Mac Allister “Easily the best midfielder in Premier League this season” | OneFootball

Alexis Mac Allister: Liverpool’s Midfield Maestro Leading the Champions’ Charge

Liverpool are Premier League champions once again, and at the heart of their triumph stands Alexis Mac Allister. Signed in the summer of 2023 for a modest £35 million, the Argentine World Cup winner has justified every penny and more, becoming an irreplaceable pillar of Arne Slot’s midfield. In what feels like the culmination of a remarkable transformation, Mac Allister has played a pivotal role in propelling Liverpool to the summit of English football.

Speaking on The Daily Red podcast from Anfield Index, Dave Hendrick perfectly captured the feeling sweeping through the fanbase: Liverpool have not just won the league, they have done so emphatically. “We needed one point, we took three, and now it is confirmed – your beloved Reds have won the league,” he said, reflecting on the 5-1 mauling of Tottenham Hotspur that sealed the title. Hendrick, like many, admitted the achievement hadn’t yet fully sunk in: “It hasn’t hit home yet. Maybe it has for you; it hasn’t for me.”

Liverpool’s Dominance Written in Red

Throughout the campaign, Liverpool have been relentless. Hendrick underlined the gulf between the Reds and their rivals, noting that “we are 15 points clear” with four matches remaining and even daring to dream that “there is a world in which we win this title by 20 points.” A staggering possibility, and one that speaks to the sheer dominance Liverpool have displayed under Slot’s guidance.

The figures are breathtaking: 25 wins from 34 games, 80 goals scored, and only two defeats all season. Hendrick pointed out that “nobody can doubt what this team has done,” highlighting the incredible achievement of going on a 26-match unbeaten run. Amidst the statistical supremacy, it is Alexis Mac Allister who has emerged as Liverpool’s midfield general, a player whose influence has grown immeasurably throughout the season.

Alexis Mac Allister: Football’s Bargain of The Century

When Liverpool secured the services of Mac Allister, there was optimism, but few could have predicted the immediate and profound impact he would have. In a summer where rivals splurged astronomical fees on midfielders, Liverpool moved early and wisely. Hendrick was emphatic: “What a ridiculously good footballer we got for £35 million. That is one of the great bargains in the modern Premier League.”

The contrast is stark. Hendrick pointed out the vast sums spent elsewhere: “Declan Rice, £105 million. Enzo Fernandez, £115 million. Moises Caicedo, £111 million.” Against that backdrop, Mac Allister’s fee looks laughably low. And unlike others weighed down by their price tags, Liverpool’s No.10 has thrived under expectation.

Photo: IMAGO

It was fitting that on the day Liverpool confirmed their latest championship, it was Mac Allister who produced a moment of pure brilliance. Hendrick recounted how Gravenberch’s stolen ball allowed it to run free to Mac Allister, who “takes a touch to get it out of his feet and hammers it home from the edge of the box on his left foot.” It wasn’t just a goal; it was a statement. This wasn’t a functional midfielder doing a job – it was an outrageously talented footballer stamping his authority on the occasion.

Champion Mentality and Captain-in-Waiting

Beyond the goals and assists, it is Mac Allister’s temperament and leadership that have truly set him apart this season. Hendrick didn’t hold back in his praise, insisting: “Whatever he’s asked to do, he does it to the highest level. He’s got a flawless temperament. His mentality is exactly what you want.”

There’s a growing belief among many supporters, and certainly with Hendrick, that Mac Allister should one day wear the captain’s armband. “I think he’s the next captain,” he said unequivocally. Given his combination of technical excellence, football intelligence, and fierce competitiveness – as seen when he was “going around crunching lads with tackles” even after scoring his wondergoal – it is hard to argue.

Mac Allister’s season cannot be measured by statistics alone. While he has contributed vital goals and assists, it’s his consistency across different roles that has made him indispensable. Hendrick called him “easily the best midfielder in the league this season,” a view that will find few detractors after the campaign he has just delivered.

Best Since Gerrard?

In Liverpool’s storied history of midfield greats, comparisons to Steven Gerrard are often deemed sacrosanct. Yet Hendrick provocatively posed the question: “Is he the best midfielder since Steven Gerrard?” His answer was nuanced, acknowledging that while “the answer is no” because of Thiago Alcântara’s brilliance, it is also “yes” because Thiago “didn’t play enough.” Mac Allister, by contrast, has not only played but dominated.

It’s a poignant thought, especially when Hendrick reminded listeners that exactly eleven years ago, Liverpool’s title hopes slipped away against Chelsea, with Gerrard’s infamous fall. How times have changed. Now, Liverpool are champions once more, and Mac Allister has been central to that revival – a symbol of resilience, talent and hope.

Liverpool have come a long way since those dark days. Hendrick reflected on the transformation, from being “hammered by Stoke” to now “winning our second Premier League title” and celebrating “an incredible 10 years.”

As fans prepare to flood the streets in celebration later this month, they will not just be saluting the legends like Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk. They will be raising their voices for Alexis Mac Allister – a £35 million bargain who, in one glorious season, has etched his name into Liverpool’s pantheon of champions.