Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been compared to Argentina legend Lionel Messi.
Mac Allister has been a steady if unspectacular signing so far for the Reds. Asked to play in a slightly unfamiliar No.6 role, the 24-year-old is still getting to grips with what’s expected of him.
But according to GOAL, it’s a different story altogether with his national team. Handing him a 7/10 for his display in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Paraguay last night, Mac Allister is lauded as showing some ‘Messi-esque’ moments.
With Messi himself only fit enough for the bench, Alexis appears to have taken on some of the legendary forward’s responsibilities.
It’s claimed that Liverpool’s No.10 ‘absolutely dazzled’ in one sequence the edge of the Paraguayan box, and was ‘fantastic’ overall.
As he has been doing for the Reds, Mac Allister is also said have been keeping things ‘ticking along’ with the ball. Meanwhile, he reportedly showed what he’s been learning in a deeper role, with some ‘fantastic tackles.’
After a slightly awkward return to Brighton last weekend, it’s great to see Alexis send a reminder of exactly how good he is.
Mac Allister sends ‘dazzling’ reminder
Over the past couple of weeks, Mac Allister has started to see some small shoots of criticism for his performances at Liverpool.
It’s perhaps true that the former Brighton man hasn’t quite lit-up his new team as he was expected to.
But all the while it must be remembered that the World Cup winner is being asked to play an unnatural role. Although he’s been very good at times as a holding midfielder, it shouldn’t be his long-term position for the Reds.
Instead, we’d love to see him deployed further up the pitch, so we can see some of this Messi-like magic for ourselves.
There’s no doubt that Mac Allister is capable of it. In time, he’ll surely show that at Liverpool, too.
But for the time being it’s frustrating seeing him have to play a position he’s neither completely suited for or particularly excelling in.
If – as seems clear – Klopp doesn’t trust Wataru Endo to come in and sit in the midfield, then Liverpool need to sign someone who can do it in January. Andre Trindade anyone? We need to see this version of Mac Allister at Anfield!