After Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Brighton, Alexis Mac Allister said he ‘likes’ playing as a number six.
At the Amex Stadium on Sunday, the 24-year-old started alongside Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool’s deepest-lying midfielder.
Some have challenged Mac Allister’s ongoing employment in the role, which limits his creative abilities. Anfield Watch writer Henry Jackson described Sunday’s performance as the number 10’s “poorest performance so far in a Reds shirt.”
The World Cup winner lost control of the ball after Virgil van Dijk’s pass, which gave Simon Adingra the opportunity to score in the first half for Brighton.
Mac Allister admitted his “mistake” in a post-game interview.
According to him, “I could have done a better job on the first goal and I should have known where the players were, he told Liverpoolfc.com. But since it’s football, we all make errors. The key is in how you respond, and I believe the squad responded excellently. This will be crucial going forward.”
Mac Allister emphasised his ‘like’ for playing as the more defensively oriented number six while discussing the role he has been required to play thus far under Jurgen Klopp.
I like it, I like it, he declared. As I’ve already stated, it comes naturally to me to assert that “No, it’s not my position, and I do the best I can.” It’s not like that, though. Jürgen is supporting me while I play the part there, and I make an effort to do my best.
“I feel like my defensive play has become a lot better over the last couple of years, and I think I can do a great job at it. I feel strong and have the impression that the coaching staff and my teammates are rooting for me. That is significant.”
In a touching moment on Sunday, manager Roberto De Zerbi invited Mac Allister to get an ovation from the Brighton supporters following the game. Mac Allister was rejoining the team he left last season.
Mac Allister played for Brighton for four years, appearing in 112 games.
Before moving to Liverpool for £35 million in the 2022–23 season, Mac Allister spent his final year on the south coast, scoring 10 goals in 35 Premier League games to help the Seagulls reach the Europa League.