Alexis Mac Allister voices Liverpool frustration amid difficult defence

Alexis Mac Allister has offered a candid insight into Liverpool’s troubled title defence, admitting the scale of change at Anfield over the summer has come at a cost. The midfielder’s words, delivered with care rather than confrontation, speak to a dressing room still searching for cohesion after last season’s dominant Premier League triumph.

Liverpool were expected to build on that momentum. Instead, a 0-0 draw with Leeds on New Year’s Day marked the halfway point of a campaign that has fallen well short of expectations. Fourth place, and 12 points behind Arsenal, underlines the challenge facing Arne Slot and his players as the season unfolds.

Mac Allister reflects on summer upheaval

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the trip to Fulham, Mac Allister did not hide the disappointment. “It hurts,” he said, before conceding the title race had slipped beyond reach. “Many things have changed from last season and it is not ideal, but that is the situation we are in and we have to face it and keep working to get better.”

Pressed on why Liverpool have struggled to find rhythm, the Argentina international returned to the same theme. “Many things changed, as I said. New players came in to replace those who left, we changed too many things, but I prefer to keep it to myself.”

Liverpool brought eight new players into the first team squad, while allowing Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Tyler Morton and Ben Doak to depart. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s sale added to the sense of transition, as did loans for Harvey Elliott and Kostas Tsimikas.

Slot’s rebuild and unseen challenges

Slot has already acknowledged that adaptation has taken longer than anticipated. The disruption went beyond recruitment. Diogo Jota’s tragic death cast a long shadow over a squad previously defined by unity, while Mohamed Salah’s public criticism of the club and head coach exposed further strain beneath the surface.

Mac Allister’s comments may lack the sharp edge of Salah’s remarks at Elland Road, yet they reflect a shared unease among senior figures. “This should be a moment when we are enjoying the Premier League which we won and we should be in a much better place than we are,” the 27 year old added.

Focus shifts to Champions League and FA Cup

Despite the disappointment, Mac Allister remains clear about Liverpool’s remaining ambitions. “It is quite clear we have amazing players, it is just about becoming a team, that is what we need.”

He stressed collective responsibility over individual form. “Personally, without the team I am nothing and I feel like we all need to get better and think about the guy next to me, become a better team and that will help us and raise our level.”

Attention now turns to knockout football. “For me it is quite clear but in terms of goals, the Champions League is there and we will definitely fight for that one because it would be a very nice one. And the FA Cup, which is a really important cup for English teams.

“We are still there, we are going to play soon and that is another goal for us. When you play for Liverpool, you always have to fight for everything.”