Slot Faces Midfield Decision After Mac Allister Struggles at Fulham
Liverpool’s draw away at Fulham has left Arne Slot with a familiar but increasingly pressing dilemma: how long patience can be afforded to Alexis Mac Allister when performances fail to match the demands of a side chasing consistency and control.
The trip to Craven Cottage was framed as an opportunity for momentum. Instead, it became another example of how fine margins, individual displays and tactical balance continue to shape Liverpool’s early months under Slot. While the result itself did not derail their season, according to Daniel Hepburn on GiveMeSport, the performance of Mac Allister in midfield has sharpened the debate around selection, structure and suitability.
Slot’s evolving midfield balance
Slot has spoken repeatedly since his arrival about control without the ball and clarity with it. Against Fulham, Liverpool saw plenty of possession but struggled to impose rhythm in central areas, particularly once the game became stretched.
Mac Allister was trusted to operate in the heart of midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch, a pairing designed to offer technical security and progression through the thirds. On paper, it made sense. In practice, Liverpool often looked disconnected, with Fulham able to bypass the midfield press too easily and force the back line into uncomfortable decisions.
Slot’s system places heavy responsibility on central midfielders to screen transitions and recycle play quickly. When that chain breaks, the entire structure looks fragile. At Craven Cottage, that fragility was visible far too often.
Mac Allister’s difficult afternoon
Mac Allister’s numbers suggested involvement rather than influence. He saw plenty of the ball, completed a high percentage of his passes and attempted to move play forward. Yet the lack of penetration and defensive bite became increasingly noticeable as the match wore on.
Fulham were happy to let Liverpool circulate possession in safe areas, confident that pressure in the middle would disrupt any sustained threat. Mac Allister struggled to assert himself physically, winning few duels and offering limited resistance when Fulham surged through midfield.
For a player signed to bring composure and intelligence to Liverpool’s engine room, the performance felt short of the standard required. Supporters’ frustration was not born of one mistake, but of a broader absence of authority in a game that demanded it.
Fulham expose structural issues
Marco Silva’s Fulham deserve credit for how they targeted Liverpool’s midfield. By committing runners beyond the first line and forcing hurried decisions, they exposed the lack of balance between Liverpool’s central players.
This was not solely a Mac Allister issue, but his role meant shortcomings were magnified. When Liverpool pushed forward, the space behind the ball became vulnerable. When they sat deeper, progression slowed. Slot’s post-match assessment pointed towards collective responsibility, yet selection inevitably comes under scrutiny when patterns repeat.
Liverpool have dropped points in similar fashion this season, often dominating possession without control. Fulham provided another reminder that tidy passing statistics do not always equate to midfield command.
Selection pressure grows under Slot
Slot now faces a decision that goes beyond one fixture. With a demanding run of matches approaching, rotation is inevitable. The question is whether Mac Allister benefits from a spell out of the starting XI to reset, or whether continuity remains the priority.
Liverpool’s squad depth in midfield offers alternatives with different profiles, and Slot has shown a willingness to be pragmatic when required. Dropping a senior international is never a simple call, but neither is persisting when performances plateau.
The head coach’s authority is built not only on ideas, but on decisiveness. Fulham may yet prove a minor setback in the wider context of the campaign, but it has undeniably accelerated the conversation around midfield roles and accountability.
For Mac Allister, the response now matters as much as the criticism. For Slot, the challenge is ensuring Liverpool’s midfield evolves quickly enough to support his broader vision.
