Owen Hargreaves doesn’t think Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will win the Premier League title if Alexis Mac Allister continues to play as a defensive-minded midfielder.
The 24-year-old has been used in a much deeper role by Jurgen Klopp following his summer transfer from Brighton and Hove Albion to Liverpool.
But former England star Owen Hargreaves thinks that is ‘one weakness’ in this Liverpool side hoping to push Manchester City for the title, as he told Premier League Productions (30/10/23 at 2:40 pm).
The issue isn’t that Alexis Mac Allister isn’t good enough to start for the Reds or guide them to the Premier League title.
It’s a case of the World Cup winner being better off playing further forward because that’s what earned him plaudits during his days at the Amex Stadium – Hargreaves has already suggested that Liverpool would win the title if they had Fulham’s Joao Palhinha in their XI.
Summer departure Fabinho may have struggled last season and declined, but his exit has still left a massive void in front of the backline.
Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool
“I think they have one weakness,” said Hargreaves. “I think Mac Allister isn’t a defensive midfield player. He is a brilliant player.
“But I think to have Mac Allister and Szoboszlai as your eight and ten to go with Mo (Salah) and the rest of that front. I don’t think you will win the league with Mac Allister playing as a defensive midfield player.
“That’s the only thing they need – That position, you look at Rodri, don’t you?!”
Alexis Mac Allister will thrive at Anfield
It has been a mixed start from the £35 million signing (Guardian), who probably needs that defensive brain next to him, in order to showcase his full worth.
Mac Allister had that at Brighton with Moises Caicedo. Ironically enough, Liverpool tried to bring him in, but he opted to join Chelsea, instead.
But with four new faces coming in this summer. Will those on Merseyside really dip into the market for another midfield player?
Given how FSG have operated over the years, the answer to that is probably a big fat no, but the Liverpool supporters won’t be surprised by that.
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