Liverpool’s first signing of the summer was the electric World Cup winning Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton. His modest release clause of £35 million meant the Reds got their man at a discounted rate.
The move was universally applauded within the game and he was the first key piece to a long overdue midfield revolution at Anfield.
He has since been joined at the club by Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig. Together, the pair give the club and fans two young and talented midfielders that have been proven at the highest stages of the game.
Their arrival was largely seen as 2/3 of the puzzle needed to begin the changes. A defensive minded player was being targeted and it would be business done.
However, the unexpected potential departures of club Captain Jordan Henderson and defensive pivot stalwart Fabinho, have thrown a wrench into Jurgen Klopp’s plans.
If both those players were to depart this summer, it would require the club to possibly bring in two more new faces. Leaving Thiago and youngsters Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott as the remaining midfielders with significant 1st team experience still at the club.
In this scenario, both Mac Allister and Szoboszlai who have already arrived and begun training with the lads, will be asked to shoulder more responsibility sooner than later.
In terms of play style, Mac Allister could be better suited to take the position held by Henderson as he has more box to box knowhow to his game. However, it’s his passing vision as seen below that is something Klopp’s system yearns for.
He can change and dictate the flow of any match with his all around abilities. Playing a key role in a World Cup winning side alongside the likes of Lionel Messi means he should not waver under the bright lights of playing for Liverpool Football Club.
At 24, he is just entering the prime of his career and he already was asked to do a lot at his old side, Brighton.
Moises Caicedo was the lockdown for the Seagulls midfield but it was Mac Allister that was the driving force in a very positive thinking side that wanted to move forward.
Those attributes should bode well as he continues to integrate himself into the side.
So far, early preseason feedback indicates just this. Andy Robertson told Liverpool.com:
“Obviously the fans will want to see them on the pitch and the fans will want to see how they do in the Premier League and so on. But the first couple of days what they’ve done is settle in quite seamlessly.
It’s a very open squad. It’s a good squad if you’re a new player to come into. We welcome everyone with open arms and try to settle them down as much as possible. I think we’ve done that.”
This will be music to the ears of anyone involved around the club. The culture that has been built under Klopp is exactly what Robbo described. A passionate and welcoming group that all want one thing, wins.
They know what that takes and have no problem holding each other accountable. It’s this mentality that I think Mac Allister and Szoboszlai both embody and will thrive under.
However, come opening day, if Hendo and Fab have both departed, Mac Allister who already knows what it’s like to play Premier League football, might be asked to shoulder a heavy load earlier than expected.
Based on everything he has shown in his career up to this point, there is no reason that he won’t rise to the occasion as he has done countless times already. You can bet Liverpool will be counting on it.