How Liverpool could line up with Alexis Mac Allister
By Euan Burns
Having played a major role in Argentina's World Cup triumph and as one of Brighton's poster boys, it's no surprise to see Alexis Mac Allister garnering interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
The midfielder scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Thursday night but his future at the AMEX is uncertain with interest mounting in his services.
90min understands Liverpool are keen to push ahead and agree a deal in May, having registered their interest earlier this year. It's no secret Jurgen Klopp's team could do with reinforcing their midfield in the summer and Mac Allister may be one player to slot into Klopp's midfield next season with his eyes on more silverware.
Here is where he could fit into the Liverpool team should he sign for the Reds in the summer transfer window.
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Left of the midfield three
There is not an extremely simple answer to where Mac Allister would fit into the current Liverpool team. That's mainly because he will probably not be the only midfielder joining the club in the summer.
The Reds' most settled midfield sees Jordan Henderson play on the right, Fabinho in the centre, and then any of Thiago, Curtis Jones or Harvey Elliott on the left. Stefan Bajcetic was also heavily used before his season-ending injury.
Klopp would like that third position to be more settled and that could be where Mac Allister slots in.
Next season could be the final year Henderson is a starter for Liverpool, which means Mac Allister could also be viewed as a long-term replacement for the Englishman. That question cannot really be answered until we see how Klopp treats Henderson next season and what other midfielders arrive along with Mac Allister.
Potential lineups:
Jordan Henderson (CM) - Fabinho (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM)
Thiago (CM) - Fabinho (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM)
Curtis Jones (CM) - Fabinho (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM)
Harvey Elliott (CM) - Fabinho (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM)
Stefan Bajcetic (CM) - Fabinho (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM)
Replacing Fabinho at the base
Fabinho's stock has gone down a fair bit this season. While he hasn't been the only off-colour Liverpool star over the past nine months or so, the Brazilian hasn't offered that bite at the base of the Reds' midfield that made them such a feared outfit a few years ago.
It's not Mac Allister's favoured position but he has played in the pivot of Brighton's 4-2-3-1 formation in recent months and has looked comfortable in physical exchanges.
Potential lineups:
Jordan Henderson (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM) - Thiago (CM)
Jordan Henderson (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM) - Curtis Jones (CM)
Jordan Henderson (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM) - Harvey Elliott (CM)
Jordan Henderson (CM) - Alexis Mac Allister (CM) - Stefan Bajcetic (CM)