Jurgen Klopp has opted to field Alexis Mac Allister in a slightly different role at Liverpool this season and Wataru Endo is convinced the Argentina international can master it
Alexis Mac Allister has been backed to kick on and become a top-class deep-lying midfielder by his Liverpool team-mate Wataru Endo.
Mac Allister has been thrust into a slightly different role by Jurgen Klopp since joining Liverpool in a £45million transfer from Brighton in the summer. The Argentine has been asked to sit deeper in midfield, with Thiago Alcantara struggling with an injury and Jordan Henderson and James Milner leaving.
He has been a key player this season, appearing in 15 games across all competitions, but he has had some setbacks. The 24-year-old made a terrible error that allowed Brighton to score the opening goal in a 2-2 draw in October, prompting some to question his suitability for the No6 role in midfield.
Endo was signed from Stuttgart in the summer to add depth to Liverpool’s holding midfield, and the Japanese international believes Mac Allister has what it takes to master the position. “Macca is more offensive, but he always tries to improve his defense.” “As he plays more, he becomes very strong defensively,” he told the club’s website.
“I can also learn a lot from him, and I think it’s a good balance between me and Macca.” He’s still young, but he’s won the World Cup and has a great mentality.”
Endo added: “We have very good midfielders, and we are team-mates who play together. I have learned a lot of things from these players, and I can improve more. This is the most important thing that I have to do.”
His remarks echo those of Mac Allister. The World Cup champion is determined not to back down from the challenge, which he believes will make him a better player in the long run. “I like it, I like it,” he said after the game against Brighton last month. “As I’ve said many times, it’s easy for me to say, ‘No, it’s not my position, and I do the best I can.’ But that is not the case. Jurgen is playing me there, he is encouraging me, and I am doing my best.
“I think I’ve improved a lot defensively in the last couple of years, and I think it’s a job I can do very well.” I’m feeling good and I’m feeling that my teammates and coaching staff are rooting for me. That is significant.”
With midfield injuries subsiding, Klopp will be able to mix things up more in the position. Liverpool have Mac Allister, Endo, Thiago, Curtis Jones, and Stefan Bajcetic on their books, as well as Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, who arrived in the summer.
Following the international break, Liverpool face a difficult task, with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Saturday sure to put Klopp’s side to the test. The Reds are currently second in the Premier League, one point behind defending champions Manchester City.
Leave a Reply