Mac Allister simply must start for Liverpool vs Real Madrid, the reasons why are endless - opinion
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Alexis Mac Allister has not been a mainstay in Liverpool’s side so far this season.The Reds really do not have much time to think lately as games keep coming thick and fast, with Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League one of their biggest matches yet. Arne Slot might think about changing a few players from the team that beat Aston Villa on Saturday given how much quality Liverpool had on the bench, but one player who must start again is Alexis Mac Allister.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
The Argentine had not quite looked himself at the start of the season, mainly due to the fact he was recovering from a persistent injury, hence why he was having his minutes managed. Although this is still the case to some degree, Mac Allister simply must start against Real Madrid, with the evidence as to why very overwhelming.Photo by Richard Callis/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesAlexis Mac Allister shone last time Liverpool played Real MadridLiverpool and Real Madrid are two of the biggest clubs in the world so it should be rare that the two teams meet, however this is not the case.They have played each other at least once a year for the past five years, with Madrid winning four while the Reds have won just once.
However, that victory came in their last meeting when Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield, and Mac Allister put in a performance for the ages.The Argentine completed 92% of his passes, created two big chances and scored a brilliant goal.As well as this, he worked hard for the team, made four recoveries and covered almost every blade of grass, showing just how much of a team player he is.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have proven Wayne Rooney’s ‘lazy’ comments so wrong It really was one of Mac Allister’s best games in a Liverpool shirt, and after finding his form against Aston Villa, allowing him to carry it on might just prove to work out for the best.Liverpool also do not have many optionsNot that they necessarily need anyone else anyway, but another reason why Mac Allister must start is because Liverpool do not have many other options.Curtis Jones is the only other real candidate usually, but as he is a doubt for this game due to injury, he might not even be able to play at all.Dominik Szoboszlai could be moved back and Florian Wirtz into the number 10 position instead, but given how balanced the middle of the park looked against Villa, perhaps Slot should keep them the same.Either way, Mac Allister, who Real Madrid are keen on themselves, has to start against them to give Liverpool the best chance possible.