Liverpool star puts in another worrying performance against Spurs | OneFootball

Mac Allister scrutiny grows despite Liverpool win in north London

Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham should have been remembered as a night of control, discipline and ruthless exploitation of chaos. Spurs self destructed, twice reduced to ten men, while Arne Slot’s side managed the contest with enough authority to keep their title defence on course. Yet as GiveMeSport rightly highlighted in their post match analysis, not every Liverpool performance passed muster. One player, in particular, left north London under a cloud.

Alexis Mac Allister found himself at the centre of a bruising critique, one that cut through the satisfaction of another three points. GiveMeSport’s verdict was unforgiving and precise, laying bare concerns that have been murmuring among supporters for weeks.

Tottenham chaos should have suited Liverpool midfield

The match itself unfolded in fits and starts. Both sides played cautiously until Xavi Simons’ reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk changed the mood entirely. Reduced to ten men, Tottenham should have been vulnerable. Liverpool probed but struggled to accelerate the tempo before half time.

Photo: IMAGO

After the break, Slot’s substitutions paid dividends. Alexander Isak was introduced and, eleven minutes later, swept home Florian Wirtz’s through ball. It was a moment of incision and clarity, even if it was cruelly followed by Isak being forced off after Micky van de Ven’s sliding tackle. Liverpool pressed their numerical advantage further, Hugo Ekitike heading home Jeremie Frimpong’s cross before Spurs unravelled again when Cristian Romero was sent off.

Against that backdrop, a midfielder operating high up the pitch should have thrived. According to GiveMeSport, Mac Allister did anything but.

Assessment pulls no punches

The article was blunt in its assessment of the Argentine’s contribution. While Wirtz and Szoboszlai at least injected moments of threat, Mac Allister faded into the background.

“Playing in an advanced role against 10 men should have allowed the 26 year old to dictate play and craft out opportunities, but he didn’t manage to do either of those.”

The statistics reinforced the eye test. Just 29 passes attempted, 25 completed, and no key passes registered. Most damning was his carelessness in possession.

“Also guilty of losing possession 10 times in the game, Mac Allister was careless and uncreative, two qualities which a number 10 simply can’t exhibit.”

That line encapsulated the frustration. Awarded a 3 out of 10 rating by GiveMeSport, the conclusion was stark.

“Slot’s best play is to drop the midfielder entirely, he’s just not been good enough to start week in, week out.”

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool supporters echo growing frustration

The reaction online mirrored the analysis. GiveMeSport highlighted the intensity of supporter anger following the final whistle. One fan lamented a perceived drop off in energy, writing, “Genuinely getting sick of tired of seeing Mac Allister do nothing every single game. He runs like prime Usain Bolt for Argentina though.”

Others were equally cutting. “Don’t really know how to properly explain it but Mac Allister is just so incapable these days,” read one response. Another was even more succinct, stating, “Mac Allister going missing again.”

The criticism snowballed. He was described as “awful” by one supporter, while another questioned selection loyalty, saying, “Mac Allister might be the new Gakpo, starts every game despite putting out average performances every single week.” Perhaps the most worrying sentiment was the sense of physical decline, with one fan adding, “Watching Mac Allister nowadays is insane bro I’ve never seen a physical decline like this in my life.”

For a player once praised for intelligence and control, those are uncomfortable words.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Mac Allister is a player many want to succeed, a World Cup winner with technique, intelligence and pedigree. That is precisely why performances like this provoke such sharp reactions. Expectations are higher, and patience shorter, especially in a side now accustomed to dominance under Arne Slot.

The concern is not one bad game, but a pattern. Against ten men, with space between the lines and control of possession, this should have been a platform for Mac Allister to impose himself. Instead, the game drifted past him. Supporters see Wirtz demanding the ball, Szoboszlai driving forward and others adapting to Slot’s demands, while Mac Allister appears stuck between roles.

Benching him does not have to be punitive. Rotation could sharpen focus and restore confidence. Liverpool’s midfield is evolving, and no place can be assumed, not even by established internationals. Slot has already shown he will make bold calls if standards slip.

The fear among fans is stagnation. The hope is that scrutiny sparks response. Liverpool need Mac Allister at his best, but right now, many supporters would accept GiveMeSport’s conclusion that a spell out of the starting XI may be the wake up call required.