Liverpool had Alexis Mac Allister to thank for pulling them out of the mire against Sheffield United last night.
The Reds had gone into the game as heavy favourites against a United team rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
However, with around 15 minutes left on the Anfield clock, Liverpool were heading towards a damaging 1-1 draw. Dropping points here was unthinkable. Somebody had to step up.
Lately, the man for the big occasion has been Mac Allister. He provided the game-winning pass for Mohamed Salah against Brighton on Sunday and he was at his decisive best again last night.
Jurgen Klopp was clearly delighted with his No.10 after the game and during his post-match press conference, the Liverpool manager revealed that he had already spoken to Mac Allister’s Dad about the goal.
Klopp reveals Carlos Mac Allister conversation
Mac Allister’s father is of course not just anybody. The Argentine is a former player himself and an ex-international to boot.
Carlos Mac Allister has actually had his fair share of mentions from Klopp this season. The manager is clearly a huge fan of his son.
And why wouldn’t he be? Mac Allister junior has really stepped up of late to become one of Liverpool’s absolute key players. Last night’s wonder-goal was just the latest in a collection of fine moments from Alexis this season.
So, when Jurgen met Carlos, what else was he to say, but ‘thank you.’ In Spanish of course.
“I would rather prefer you all use your eyes and just say what you see because it’s obvious, I would say,” said the German after being asked to describe how good Mac Allister’s goal was.
“Super-important player for us, what a wonderful boy. I met his dad after the game, he said ‘thank you’, I said ‘gracias’! That was the full conversation. ‘Hola’ I said as well and then my Spanish ends. Wonderful player, wonderful boy. I’m really happy for Liverpool that we got him.”
Can Alexis Mac Allister win Player of the Year
With his current run of form, you have to say that Mac Allister has put himself in the frame for the Premier League’s Player of the Year award.
Some might quibble with that, but in the middle of a title race, the 25-year-old has really come through for his team. He’s been one of the most decisive players at the top end of the table.
Others may point to someone like Phil Foden, who’s been scoring plenty of goals for Manchester City. But the England international is tending to get his goals in gluts, and didn’t show up against either Liverpool or Arsenal recently.
Mac Allister by contrast now has seven goal contributions in his last six Premier League games. He’s contributed at least either one goal or one assist in every single one of those matches. Keep that up and he’ll certainly be in the conversation.