Alexis Mac Allister: Is Liverpool’s Midfield Maestro Now World Class?

With the season almost up and Liverpool emerging as the clear league winners in a one-sided two-horse race with Arsenal, many pundits have sung the praises of Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and the re-emerged Ryan Gravenberch. However, there is one name that not many have mentioned—almost a silent hero in the heart of the midfield, keeping the team ticking and orchestrating the play—and that’s Alexis Mac Allister. Is it time to consider the 26-year-old a world-class talent?

World Champion to Premier League Starter

Having played six of the seven games in Argentina’s World Cup run, Mac Allister cemented his name on the global stage. A stellar season with Brighton afterwards saw the Argentinian rewarded with a £40 million move to Liverpool the following summer.

Despite a difficult start to life at Anfield, he has made the central midfield position his own, having featured in all but one of Liverpool’s 36 games so far this season. He has demonstrated his ability to dictate play from deep, be the man to connect the defence with the attack, and has even contributed offensively, having provided 10 G/As for the Reds so far this season.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The numbers show that when he has been on the pitch, Liverpool average 2.6 goals per game while only conceding 0.8. He has also proven himself defensively, winning 2.02 tackles per match—that’s higher than even Moisés Caicedo (1.87), who has had a world-class season in the heart of Chelsea’s midfield.

The importance of a player who is so instrumental in dictating the tempo of matches and how the team plays cannot be understated. A prime example of this is Manchester City with and without Rodri. City’s drop-off since the Spaniard tore his ACL has been well documented, and one can only imagine where Liverpool would be without Mac Allister. Statistics show that Liverpool win 76% of matches when he starts, which is higher than Rodri’s 74% for City.

A Different Kind of Midfield Star

Despite boasting impressive numbers, they are not the focal point of Mac Allister’s playstyle. His technical ability, range of passing, and capacity to play himself out of tight spaces are all traits that are highly sought-after. The relationship he has formed with Ryan Gravenberch in midfield has brought out the best in both players.

In a footballing world where physicality and running stats have taken the forefront, the Argentinian’s technical ability makes him a standout player.

Madrid Calling?

Could this be Alexis Mac Allister future

The Liverpool star’s impressive performances in the league have earned him the Player of the Month award for April, but it is not just the Premier League that has taken notice. With the 2025 summer window approaching, links between Mac Allister and Real Madrid have started to appear, with Xabi Alonso reportedly seeking him out to provide the desperately needed controller-type player in the middle of the park at the Bernabéu.

Is it time to consider Mac Allister world-class, or will he need to move to a team like Real Madrid and prove himself there before entering those conversations? A Premier League winner, a World Cup winner, a Copa América winner—the midfielder has had a successful career thus far, but I will leave that up to you, the readers, to decide.