Pundit Dean Saunders has expressed doubts about Alexis Mac Allister‘s suitability for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool midfield this season.
Saunders, speaking on talkSPORT, raised concerns about Mac Allister’s lack of pace, suggesting that the Argentina international may not have the necessary recovery speed for Liverpool’s demanding midfield, which requires unselfish running.
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Saunders also questioned whether Dominik Szoboszlai would be an upgrade from Klopp’s previous midfield options.
He noted that while Mac Allister is a neat and tidy player, he lacks pace, and Szoboszlai, though talented, might not surpass the qualities of previous midfielders like Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, and Wijnaldum, who were known for their genuine and unselfish contributions.
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Dean Saunders on Liverpool’s midfield
The pundit suggested that Liverpool may still be in need of a defensive midfielder, with conflicting reports about the potential arrival of Fluminense’s Andre Trindade in January.
“I’m not convinced. For a start, he’s got no pace.
When we’ve seen him trying to get back the other day, you can see he’s got no pace.
He’s a neat and tidy footballer, but saying that, when he’s keeping the ball, sometimes he gives it away and you think, that’s his game.
He can’t give the ball away. Szoboszlai looks a player but are they going to be better than the ones they’ve had?
They had genuine, unselfish midfield players like Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum who cover the ground, I’m not sure.”
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Despite Mac Allister’s deployment in a deep-lying position at Brighton Hove Albion, Saunders emphasized that the £35m midfielder now faces more defensive responsibilities at Liverpool, possibly contributing to his concerns.
While Liverpool fans may trust Klopp’s plans, Saunders highlighted the absence of a key piece in the team and expressed surprise at Wataru Endo not being given more responsibility in important games.
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He concluded by suggesting that former player Dirk Kuyt recently praised Javier Mascherano as one of the most underrated players he ever played with, hinting at the potential benefit of having such a midfielder in Klopp’s current squad.
Liverpool is my Religion and Anfield is my Church. 17th May 1996 the date I had my blood coloured red. The one you love the most you can not live without it and that is football to me.
