Alexis MacAllister to start for Liverpool vs Everton: Data solves selection dilemma
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(Credit Hasan Karim, Breaking Media/Imago)
Aasif Rahman
Thu 18 September 2025 10:59, UK
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister showcased his impact in his cameo after the side secured a dramatic Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool started their European journey with a victory after another late goal as Virgil van Dijk headed home the winner in stoppage time in a 3-2 win.
Arne Slot’s side went 2-0 up in a matter of minutes early on, with Mohamed Salah’s free-kick deflecting in off Andy Robertson, before the Egyptian doubled the scoreline.
However, Marcus Llorente made his mark at Anfield once again with a brace to make it 2-2.
Van Dijk restored the lead with a bullet header, as Diego Simeone had an altercation with Liverpool fans after the goal.
Meanwhile, Mac Allister made his return to the squad after Lesley Ugochukwu’s challenge that forced him off against Burnley, but he made an impact off the bench.
Slot has shaken up his midfield plenty of times already this term, and with Florian Wirtz coming into the side as well as Mac Allister’s injuries, the Argentine proved his worth in his short cameo ahead of the Merseyside derby.
Whilst Mac Allister was spotted in open training before the game, Slot decided against starting the midfielder following a couple of knocks already this season.
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But he was trusted to enter the field in the 58th minute and showcased his quality as a natural box-to-box midfielder, winning all of his ground and aerial duels and having a 75% pass accuracy.
Slot has featured the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones in his position in recent weeks, but if the Dutchman is insistent on including Wirtz, Mac Allister must start back into his natural position that proved to be so successful in their title-winning season.
Season statisticsAlexis Mac AllisterAppearances3Minutes played178Assists1Pass accuracy85.2%Duels won42%Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool via Fotmob in the Premier League.
There were concerns over the former Brighton midfielder in recent weeks.
He missed the tie against Newcastle due to injury, and then was at the end of a poor challenge by Ugochukwu just days earlier.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes Ugochukwu should have been sent off as the challenge “fulfilled the law for serious foul play” and the Dutch coach may be easing the midfielder back into the side, after his recent knocks
Credit: Imago
While Wirtz has played every single game for Liverpool this term, there has been a lack of impact from their new man, while shifting other players out of the side.
Many have criticised the playmaker such as Steve Nicol, who was critical of Wirtz’s performance against Burnley performance.
Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch formed a title-winning midfield last term, and while the Reds have come away with victories, performances as a whole have not been impressive.
Now, Slot must decide if Mac Allister and Wirtz can co-exist in the same midfield ahead of the Merseyside derby.