Alexis Mac Allister has already faced his brother, played out of position, and been sent off in his debut Liverpool season, only to have the red card reversed, all eight weeks into the season.
Liverpool fans are nevertheless eager to see what Mac Allister has in store for them despite the fact that he currently appears to be a little out of his element at No. 6.
The Argentine will undoubtedly play a crucial role for Jurgen Klopp’s team, but holding midfield is definitely not where he belongs.
The main question from the summer, “Who will play No. 6 for Liverpool?” has reappeared now that Wataru Endo is also not beginning games.
Paul Cope and Gareth Roberts from The Late Challenge episode spoke about it on this week’s Live at 5 episode.
Wataru Endo, who cost Liverpool £16.25 million from Stuttgart, was the player they went to after failing to sign Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia.
However, considering he’s only made four starts since moving in, Klopp has chosen to start Mac Allister as the group’s most defensive midfielder.
In response, Cope commented, “We definitely wanted a No. 6 and we didn’t buy one.
“Endo’s not the player they were hoping for, is he? Oh, he’s a good alternative to have in the squad, was all I could say about him.
“It won’t be a case of “he beds in for six months and then becomes our No. 6,” in my opinion.
The two then considered Mac Allister’s qualities because Endo seemed to be out of the picture as a long-term solution.
“I have a lot of sympathy for Mac Allister because, despite playing outside of his position, I believe he has been excellent,” stated Cope.
“And for that reason, I believe it is unfair to hold him accountable for the opening goal against Brighton.
“Since he is good in tight spaces, moves the ball well, and has a nice touch, that is actually the aspect of him playing at the six that is good. His game’s strength is that.
“The aspect of his game that people are criticising for being weak isn’t the goal that was conceded. The other aspects of his game that Fabinho and Rodri could execute exceptionally effectively are a weakness.”
The pair concurred that the Argentine’s task had been challenging, and Cope remarked, “I think being No. 6 in this side is right up there [among the hardest positions in football].
“You’re doing great when you’re the best player in the best shape of your life, and when we’re compact. But there are a lot of situations when the young player on our team is just expected to perform a lot.
Cope anticipated the future by saying, “I think most likely we buy Andre in January, when we can, and that’s what the game plan was.”