Liverpool have £35m summer signing but need another transfer to unlock full potential

Alexis Mac Allister must have wondered when he would ever catch a break as a Liverpool player.

The Argentina World Cup winner impressed throughout pre-season in a regular advanced midfield role before dutifully starting the campaign as an emergency number six due to the Reds’ transfer and availability issues.

His home debut against Bournemouth was cut short after less than an hour when he received a harsh red card which was later overturned. And when, in the next game at Newcastle United, Mac Allister started in his usual position, Liverpool’s game plan went out the window after half an hour following Virgil van Dijk’s dismissal.

End of Season Ratings:

Alisson Becker

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Ibrahima Konate

Luis Diaz

Cody Gakpo

Darwin Nunez

Harvey Elliott

Virgil van Dijk

Diogo Jota

It wasn’t until December that Mac Allister managed to start a Premier League game again at number eight, only to suffer an early injury which ultimately cut his night short and ruled him out for a month. And then, when he returned to action, he spent another five weeks at the back as a defensive midfielder until Wataru Endo returned from Asian Cup duties.

But it says a lot about Mac Allister’s attitude and ability that he was already considered one of Liverpool’s best players of the season before he was finally able to fully blossom in more creative positions. Certainly, the Reds who triggered his £35m release clause from Brighton last summer could prove to be one of the shrewdest signings of the Jurgen Klopp era, arguably the best signing in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old, however, has had his struggles in the deeper midfield role, with his occasionally errant tackles leading to five bookings and an early ban in mid-November. But his outstanding display in the next game, the 1-1 draw at Manchester City, was a sign that he had finally clicked in the position. Indeed, the following week he netted Liverpool’s goal of the season in a 4–3 win over Fulham.

However, the final third of the campaign was when Mac Allister began to realize his potential, the protection of having Endo at the back helping to produce six goals and five assists as the Argentine started to produce the numbers matched with his performance.

In fact, Liverpool’s reliance on Mac Allister has been so great that he has looked understandably tired at times in the crucial final weeks. And with the Copa America coming up with Argentina next month, there is little sign the player will be able to take an extended break anytime soon.

But the much-needed acquisition of an established number six this summer would ease the burden on Mac Allister and allow him to further capitalize on his undeniable threat in more attacking midfield positions. After burning out for the cause in his debut season at Liverpool, it’s the least he deserves.

Rating at the end of the season: 8