Although it may have been unexpected, Jürgen Klopp has been starting one of his new Liverpool acquisitions at the number six position, and so far, the move has been brilliant.
The club’s search for a “number six” dominated talk surrounding Liverpool’s summer transfer window. After losing Fabinho, Jürgen Klopp’s
Many had anticipated that Liverpool would only use the Japanese international as a backup in the number six position. Ryan Gravenberch previously played as a holding midfielder in a double pivot, which may be why some have thought he may be deployed in that more defensive capacity.
However, given the Liverpool system, Graveberch is not in the best position in that one. He is much more of a midfielder in the mold of Dominik Szoboszlai, who excels at box-to-box play and energizes a team by darting forward on explosive runs.
Instead, in what can only be described as a brilliant move by Klopp, another new recruit is demonstrating signs of being developed into a number six.
It has become clear in recent weeks that Alexis Mac Allister, who was previously mostly utilized as a number eight at Brighton, has gradually but steadily been converted into a number six for Liverpool, largely out of necessity.
Mac Allister has frequently been Liverpool’s deepest-lying midfielder in recent games, including away at Chelsea, at home against Bournemouth, and at Aston Villa. That rule was only broken when End got the game going against Newcastle United.
Mac Allister has held this position before. Even at Brighton, he had previously played in that position. But generally speaking, he has been utilized more as a more skilled playmaker and box-to-box player than as someone who will simply sit back and control the game from a distance.
But Mac Allister has succeeded despite having no experience in the position. If anything, Liverpool would be better served by playing him a little bit deeper where he can best make use of his distribution. Additionally, it’s become clear over the course of the last few games that he also possesses the potential to be a destroyer.
For Liverpool thus far in the Premier League, Mac Allister has made the most tackles and interceptions (15). Given that he has so far only played one 90-minute game for the team, this accomplishment is all the more noteworthy.
He has been especially good at controlling the centre of the field, as he has made the most tackles of any Liverpool player with seven. This has been successful in stopping Liverpool’s risky transitions, which frequently caught out Klopp’s team, especially last season.
In addition, he has made 26 recoveries, which ranks second among Liverpool teammates behind Dominik Szoboszlai. However, this is even the more impressive given that Mac Allister has played about 60 minutes fewer than the Hungarian.
When Mac Allister initially arrived at Liverpool, his ball skills attracted a lot of attention. He has distinguished himself in the Premier League by averaging 50.6 completed passes per 90, the highest rate of any Liverpool midfielder. But so far, his ability to reprise and recover the ball for Liverpool has been what has made him stand out the most.
Many questioned Klopp’s choice not to sign another holding midfielder this summer, but the Liverpool manager was certain, and based on Mac Allister’s performance thus far, he has been proven correct.
Considering that he already has Mac Allister at his disposal, Klopp doesn’t need another number six. Then comes End, and on top of that