Rousing the Kop

Why Liverpool fans should be annoyed with Alexis Mac Allister after Argentina beat England at the World Cup

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.


Prior to the World Cup beginning – and throughout plenty of the tournament so far – many Liverpool fans would have been happy to see Alexis Mac Allister sold this summer.The Argentine had an absolutely woeful season for the Reds, arguably allowing his standards to fall the furthest of any player in the Liverpool squad.Physicality appeared to be a big part of his struggles, and there were question marks over whether Mac Allister was completely fit. What has been holding Alexis Mac Allister back at Liverpool recently?



Though that is good news for Liverpool fans hoping to see his revival next season, it is incredibly frustrating to see that Mac Allister has had this in him the whole time, and raises doubts over his commitment to the Reds.Was Mac Allister saving himself for the World Cup?Like the rest of the somewhat insufferable Argentina squad, Mac Allister is injected with a passion and fight that Liverpool fans may find unrecognisable while he’s playing for his country.Far too often last season Mac Allister was a passenger. You can’t go from a weak, timid and flimsy poodle to a teeth-baring, pumped up rottweiler and expect there not to be questions asked about why that is.One theory is that Mac Allister was not completely fit last season and, instead of giving it everything for the club who pay his wages, he’d rather play at 50 per cent and make sure he was ready for the World Cup.If that was indeed his plan, then Mac Allister looks to have executed it perfectly.

Reds fans will want to see him do well in New Jersey, but there should be a lingering frustration that we may not see this version of Mac Allister at Anfield again.Liverpool could still sell Mac AllisterOn the evidence of this World Cup – and especially Wednesday’s display against England – Liverpool would be crazy to sell Mac Allister.Nevertheless, the tournament will have increased his value, and if the Reds get a good offer, perhaps they will still consider moving him on. Had Mac Allister turned up for his club in the same way he has delivered for his country over the past five weeks, it would not have been.