As Wirtz struggles, another Liverpool star continues quiet improvement after rough start to season - opinion

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Several Liverpool players, including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexis Mac Allister, have had mixed displays during the November international break.After starting and scoring in a 4-0 win over Ukraine, the French media praised Hugo Ekitike earlier this week.More recently, the German press hit out at Florian Wirtz for his ‘weak’ showing in their latest World Cup qualifier.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Elsewhere, Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk both started and were not at their best when the Netherlands drew with Poland on Friday evening.However, another Liverpool man did look much improved for his country this week.Photo by Visionhaus/Getty ImagesAlexis Mac Allister praised as Argentina beat AngolaAlexis Mac Allister started in a 2-0 win over Angola on Friday, which saw Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi find the back of the net.The Liverpool midfielder did not provide a goal contribution, but the verdict coming out of Argentina is a positive one.Ole gave him a 6.5 rating and wrote: “He played as a well-positioned defensive midfielder.“While not particularly mobile, he distributed the ball effectively and was always an option when playing out from the back and when in possession.“He made very few misplaced passes and was substituted late in the game.”Clarin stated that he ‘adjusted and finished the match well’, while TYC Sports praised the 26-year-old’s distribution on the day.Photo by Robin Jones/Getty ImagesAlexis Mac Allister is slowly getting back to his bestAfter playing such a crucial role in the Reds’ 2024/25 title win, there have been suggestions that Mac Allister’s form was costing Liverpool this season.Elsewhere, Paul Scholes questioned the midfielder and his ability to control games like he did last term.But after starting in recent wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, it’s fair to say that Mac Allister looks back to his best.His latest display for Argentina was another feather in his cap as he works his way back to becoming the player we all saw in 2024/25.Mac Allister is dictating play again, cutting teams open with impressive passing, and, to Scholes’ previous criticism, is controlling matches a lot more than he was just a couple of months ago.The wholesale changes at Anfield this summer clearly had an impact on the South American, but his showing against Angola, coupled with recent performances at club level, suggest the best version of the former Brighton man is returning.