The reasoning behind Liverpool's decision to sign 'Swiss Army Knife' Mac Allister

 

Alexis Mac Allister is the first new central midfielder through the doors at Anfield this summer. In truth, it was only a matter of time before the Argentine swapped Brighton for Liverpool once it became clear the Reds would seek to sign the World Cup winner in the off-season. 

 

It's no secret that Liverpool are set to splash the cash on their midfield in the transfer market, with such a key area in desperate need of investment. The failure to land Jude Bellingham is a blow, but Mac Allister should be the first of a few in on Merseyside as they look to dedicate the funds that would have gone towards signing the teenager on a number of up and coming midfield stars. 

 

However, what makes Mac Allister so appealing is that he can't really be pigeon-holed into one midfield role. Whereas Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone, two other midfield targets for Liverpool, have a specified duty in the middle of the park, Mac Allister's versatilty is one of the reasons why Jurgen Klopp was keen to secure his services. 

 

Across the course of the season, Mac Allister has played in a deeper midfield role, more centrally and as a number 10, and has done each to a good standard. Given the interchanging nature of the Liverpool midfield when each player is fit and firing on all cylinders, this was a core reason behind the drive to sign the 24-year-old from the Seagulls. 

 

It's likely that Klopp will again maximise the 4-3-3 setup next season, predominatly in a bid to accomodate their raft of attacking players. However, the German's ideal midfield trio - Jordan Henderson and Thiago either side of Fabinho - was one he couldn't call upon for a bulk of the season. Fabinho started the most league games of the three, with 31 to his name, but Henderson and Thiago featured from the outset in just 23 and 14 matches, respectively. 

 

By comparison, Mac Allister started 31 league matches last season, while three of his four sub appearances came in the final weeks of the campaign when the games were coming thick and fast for the Seagulls. Combined with a gruelling World Cup campaign, the desire to land a midfielder who can remain fit and play to a high standard despite a lengthy season is a trait that Klopp likely would have taken into account when targeting a new midfielder. 

 

Then there is the adaptability to Mac Allister's game that would benefit Klopp's Liverpool side. Indeed, you only have to take a quick glance at the Argentina international's stats to note how functional a player Mac Allister really is. He ended the campaign with 10 goals, albeit six of those were from the penalty spot, but he was consistent when provided with the big chance to score. A big chance conversion rate of 64.3% was the fifth most of those to have been provided with 10 or more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities in England's top tier last term. 

 

 

In addition, Mac Allister was the only player to register at least 70 shots (86) and 70 tackles (70) in the Premier League last season, further emphasising his good work both on and off the ball. Moises Caicedo may have been Brighton's primary ball winner in 2022/23, chipping in with 2.9 tackles per 90, but Mac Allister wasn't too far behind, having made 2.2 tackles per 90. A 66% tackle success rate is also not one to scoff at. 

 

When on the ball, Liverpool's new signing drove forward well from deep, having made 1.3 dribbles per 90, and was able to play the right pass to pry open defences, returning 1.5 key passes per 90 in the process. And if Liverpool need a player to help keep things ticking over, then Mac Allister is an ideal outlet, with 87.2% of his 56.2 passes per 90 finding a Brighton teammate last season. 

 

It's impossible, then, to truly hone in on exactly the type of midfielder Mac Allister is, given he is able to carry out a number of duties in the middle of the park, and this was perhaps a driving factor behind the Reds' willingness to spend big on the Brighton man. He can cover a number of roles in the middle of the park, and do so well - he's a Swiss Army Knife of a midfielder if you will. 

 

As Liverpool look to revamp a key position this summer, Mac Allister is the ideal starting point. He is able to defend, attack and key play ticking over where needed, and it means that, if Liverpool do miss out on a target, they can alter their approach in the market to pursue a different type of midfielder, safe in the knowledge that Mac Allister is on hand to do what he does best, which is a little bit of everything.

The reasoning behind Liverpool's decision to sign 'Swiss Army Knife' Mac Allister