The Copa America is already hurtling along into its second round of fixtures, as Liverpool players continue their campaigns.
Unlike the European Championship, which now feels a little bloated with 24 teams, the America’s competition still admits just 16 nations.
That keeps the games coming thick and fast whilst ensuring only those good enough to qualify are able to get in.
From a Liverpool point of view, it means that we get to see our South American stars in action more often than not until the tournament’s end.
While Tuesday saw Alisson Becker and Brazil disappoint, Wednesday was the turn of their arch rivals, Argentina. Once again, Alexis Mac Allister started for the World champions.
Argentine media give Alexis Mac Allister verdict
Mac Allister has quickly become a fixture in the Argentina side. Just as he is now at Anfield, the 25-year-old is a really key man.
That was demonstrated in a brave assist Mac Allister provided for his team’s first goal of the competition on Friday. He always puts everything on the line.
It’s that kind of tenacity and creativity which recently led former Liverpool defender Kolo Toure to label Mac Allister as ‘fantastic’ player. Diogo Jota even named him as the best player currently in the Premier League.
While that kind of praise may be slightly hyperbolic from Jota, there’s no questioning that every good team needs a player like Liverpool’s No.10.
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Thankfully, it appears that the Argentine press appreciate this. Sports outlet TyC Sports gave Mac Allister a good write-up after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Chile.
Interestingly, they report that the former Brighton man ‘played as a 5’ for Lionel Scaloni against the Chileans.
This is something akin to what we would call the ‘6’ position; the deeper role Mac Allister often played for Liverpool last season.
And just as he did for the Reds, it’s claimed that Mac Allister ‘took control of the middle’ from around the 20th minute of the match. Ultimately rated with a seven out of ten, Macca is hailed for a ‘solid’ display in which he ‘did everything simple and well.’
Alexis Mac Allister shows his class for Argentina
Last season it became clear to just about everybody that Mac Allister’s best position is being deployed further up the pitch.
Once Wataru Endo released the shackles on the World Cup winner he was like a player reborn.
However, that isn’t to say that Mac Allister cannot do a good job in a deeper role. As this report suggests, he can mix it even with a side as physical as Chile.
Playing so often in a new position last season also very much added to Mac Allister’s overall skillset. He can now drop in and perform while sitting deep for Argentina if needed to.
The fact that the £35m man was able to take on the information of last season and train himself in a brand new role in such a way only goes to highlight the class of the player.
Two wins out of two for Macca and Argentina and they’re looking good for back-to-back titles. Whether further back or higher up, Mac Allister will be key to that.
