David Lynch: “You really, really notice when Mac Allister isn’t on the pitch” | OneFootball

Mac Allister: Liverpool’s Most Important Midfielder

Liverpool’s midfield has seen plenty of rotation this season, but one thing remains constant—when Alexis Mac Allister is on the pitch, the team looks transformed. His intelligence, work rate, and technical ability have made him arguably Liverpool’s most important midfielder under Arne Slot.

In the latest episode of Media Matters on Anfield Index, David Lynch and Dave Davis discussed Mac Allister’s crucial role, particularly in Liverpool’s second-half comeback against Southampton. As Lynch put it, “You really, really notice when he’s not on the pitch.”

Game-Changer in the Midfield

Liverpool’s first-half performance against Southampton was sluggish. Without Mac Allister in midfield, the team lacked control, fluidity, and incisiveness. But once he was introduced in the second half, the difference was immediate.

“For me, he made the biggest impact of any of the subs really,” Lynch stated. “He wins his duels, he progresses the ball brilliantly, he can give you something in the final third in terms of threat as well. He’s just a really, really intelligent footballer.”

It was no coincidence that Liverpool’s energy levels lifted the moment Mac Allister stepped onto the pitch. His ability to dictate play, switch gears, and find space makes him the heartbeat of this midfield.

Mentality and Influence

Arne Slot’s halftime substitutions weren’t just about fresh legs—they were about mentality. The Liverpool manager knew he needed leaders on the pitch, and Mac Allister delivered.

“There’s a reason why Macca is a World Cup winner,” Slot said after the game. “Because he always shows up when you need him in terms of mentality. And that’s also definitely what he brought in the second half.”

Lynch echoed this sentiment, highlighting the composure and leadership Mac Allister brings. “He’s kind of the all-rounder out of the three of them. You can see why Liverpool really, really miss him when he’s not there.”

With his tactical intelligence and big-game experience, Mac Allister isn’t just another midfielder—he’s the one who makes Liverpool tick.

Alexis Mac Allister

A Role Only He Can Play

Liverpool’s midfield is packed with talent—Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch—but none offer the complete package that Mac Allister does. His adaptability is what sets him apart.

Lynch summed it up: “I think he’s quite clearly, for me, the most important of the three, really.”

His ability to operate in different roles, whether as a deep-lying playmaker or further forward, gives Liverpool a unique balance. He offers defensive stability without compromising creativity—something that no other midfielder in the squad replicates.

Irreplaceable for the Run-In

As Liverpool chase multiple trophies, keeping Mac Allister fit will be key. His second-half masterclass against Southampton was another reminder of just how vital he is to this team.

“He got Liverpool playing in that second half,” Lynch noted. “And as soon as they did that, Southampton just absolutely couldn’t cope with them.”

With big games ahead, Liverpool fans will be hoping Mac Allister stays fit and continues to drive the team forward. Because if one thing is clear, it’s that when he plays, Liverpool are simply a better side.