Sparta Prague 1-5 Liverpool – Europa League (1st Leg) Man of the Match

Alexis Mac Allister: Unquestionable Impact

It still amuses me to consider that some of the fanbase were livid when Liverpool signed the former Brighton star, as Manchester United paid £60m for Mason Mount. Though I was a fan of the skill set and potential of the former Chelsea player, his own ceiling was far from limitless and he was always going to struggle at the Theatre of Bad Dreams. Ultimately, the reds instead chose to pay the £35m release clause for Argentina’s World Cup winning controlling midfielder, who has gradually seen his stock rise from important to irreplaceable.

Key Transfers and Tactical Synergy

Certain players will thrive under the umbrella of great coaching, yet the surrounding pieces and nuances within elite level football, means that until the system and its working parts are in sync, even the most talent’s performers will struggle to thrive. At the outset of this 2023/24 campaign, questions arose over the quality of the Japan captain, Wataru Endō.

Alexis Mac Allister now has 6 goal contributions in his last 6 games for Liverpool.

El Magnifico. 🇦🇷🪄 pic.twitter.com/nhsGUS5rre

— The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) March 7, 2024

Though he was clearly the backup option to not one but two current Chelsea players, he still represented the missing ingredient that would eventually allow Alexis Mac Allister to flourish in red. Both Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia would have been superb signings for the Anfield giants, whilst their woes at Stamford Bridge should in no way discredit what they could have brought to a Jürgen Klopp side. I would have no issue whatsoever if the next Sporting Director inquired for either holding midfielder, as the financial turmoil that will soon engulf the west London side may well make a cut price deal a reality.

Evolution of Mac Allister’s Role

It was not until Macca was awarded a working destroyer and the means to venture into a more progressive role, that he could fully incorporate his world class talents into this side. Once the on and off ball intricacies had been embedded beyond the gumshield of his new teammate, Alexis could start to forge new relationships with the forward line, instead of the rearguard as previous. The requirement at the beginning of the season was to have Endō adjust, whilst Alexis facilitated in the defensive midfield position. The choices were made and now we are seeing the fruit of Klopp’s decision.

Impactful Changes

Now that both new Redmen are fully acclimatised to their new clubs and favoured positions, are we seeing a repeat of what once dominated before them. Fabinho and Thiago Alcântara previously offered such high-level control, that everything around them flourished as a result. What we are all seeing once again, is that level of elite play, one is creating the opportunity for unprecedented success. The continuing upturn in form of Darwin Núñez, is absolutely in line with the elevation in the form of Liverpool’s current number 10. The ability to orchestrate and deliver from Mac Allister is having a huge knock-on effect on the game of the Uruguayan, which once more delivered devastating striking prowess in Prague.

Alexis Mac Allister on the last few years:

"I won a World Cup, that’s not easy! And now living my life at a club like Liverpool, amazing!" pic.twitter.com/5n1LUocKiP

— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) March 6, 2024

Match Highlights and Mac Allister’s Influence

The first goal this evening was due to a penalty decision, as the 24-year-old Argentine outsmarted the home sides questionable defensive efforts. A clinical finish was then delivered by the man who won the penalty, before he delivered a perfectly weight assist for Darwin to score the team’s third and his second. The output in terms of assists is now both consistent and emphatic, yet it is Mac’s overall domination of the game that is most crucial to Liverpool’s glorious 2024 run of form. In another man of the match display, the 5ft 9inch players on pitch performance was once again of the highest order, and he stands alone as the Premier League’s signing of the summer.

As the march to an unlikely quadruple goes on, much of that hope rests with the man that cost a third of what Arsenal paid for Declan Rice, which is another reason to be joyous. The first leg destruction of Sparta Prague was engineered by one of Liverpool’s players of the season, which is keeping the dreams of a grateful support alive.

Steven Smiths Pre-match Prediction:

Sparta Prague 2 – 2 Liverpool