Liverpool did not field the World Cup champion in the match against MU

Coach Arne Slot is contemplating a change in Alexis Mac Allister's position for the near future, given that the Argentine midfielder has not been able to return to his top performance since the season began.

After a brilliant 2024/25 season, in which Liverpool won the Premier League title, Mac Allister played through mild pain during the last weeks of the season. This caused him to take early leave and only rejoin team training at the end of July, resulting in a short preseason and lack of fitness.

Up to now, Mac Allister has averaged only 5.44 points per match on the Echorating scale, a figure significantly lower than his consistent performance last season. Arne Slot’s new system is adapting to newcomer Florian Wirtz, which has made Mac Allister’s role less prominent, especially with Ryan Gravenberch performing well and Dominik Szoboszlai frequently “covering” at right-back due to injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley.

Sources reveal that Slot is considering giving Mac Allister a few matches off to help him recover physically and regain his touch on the ball. During this time, Szoboszlai might return to central midfield alongside Gravenberch, while Florian Wirtz would be pushed up to play as the advanced number 10 in midfield.

This arrangement helps Liverpool maintain creativity while easing the pressure on Mac Allister. If rotation is needed, Curtis Jones is also ready to take on the defensive midfield role on the left side, partnering with Gravenberch in midfield.

Mac Allister was one of Liverpool’s key players last season, but his attempts to “play through to regain form” have left him stuck. Writers at Echo believe that a proper break could help the Argentine star return to his familiar role as the midfield maestro controlling the game.

Currently, the rescheduling of Argentina’s fixtures means Mac Allister will return to Merseyside later than expected, which may be the right moment for Arne Slot to adjust his squad plans ahead of the big clash with Manchester United.

Although Liverpool remains closely behind Arsenal at the top of the table, Coach Slot understands that Mac Allister’s revival is crucial for their title ambitions this season. With a full squad now available, he can rotate players flexibly to help his prized player get back to his best form.