Alexis Mac Allister: analysing a clever player

Powered by

Alexis Mac Allister arrived at Liverpool at the end of a magnificent personal campaign. Still only 24 when he signed in June 2023, the Argentine midfielder had played a key role in Brighton's highest ever top-flight finish of sixth, which secured the club European football for the first time. This followed a dream World Cup, where Mac Allister's stock rose considerably; he started six games, including the final, as Argentina swept to victory. 

Mac Allister was seemingly born to be a footballer. His father, Carlos, was a left-back who played with Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors. In 2017, Alexis featured for Argentinos Juniors in the Argentine Primera División alongside his brothers, Francis and Kevin.

Brighton saw enough in 60 appearances for Argentinos Juniors to sign the then 20-year-old Mac Allister in January 2019. By the 2021/22 campaign, Mac Allister had established himself in Graham Potter’s team, racking up 33 Premier League appearances and five goals. The stage was set for his next leap forward – figuratively and positionally – under Potter’s astute successor, Roberto De Zerbi, who tweaked Mac Allister’s role.

“He has the quality to score,” De Zerbi explained after Mac Allister netted twice in an FA Cup win at Middlesbrough in January 2023. “Before the World Cup, I used him in a midfield position, with responsibility to build the play. Now he’s higher, and I think higher he can help us to find the last pass, to find goals, because he knows very well that position.”

Here, we put the Liverpool signing under the expert eye of The Coaches' Voice…

Technical analysis
A right-footed midfielder, Mac Allister has played multiple midfield roles. He has the ability to receive between the lines, deeper, or in behind, all while under significant pressure. He has a fantastic awareness of space, positioning himself cleverly in relation to the opposition (below).

The Liverpool signing looks to receive on the half-turn and progress the ball forward. That could mean gaining immediate ground by driving forward on his second touch, or connecting and combining with runners ahead. Either way, good decision-making on his second touch is an asset.

Mac Allister links well and has improved his ability to patiently build play, often in the form of first-time bounce passes. He is now more involved within the left inside channel, from where he can find runners behind, switch play or combine in central spaces. While not always grabbing the attention, his versatility has allowed Mac Allister to play different roles at Brighton and with Argentina.

Goal threat

One of Mac Allister’s attacking strengths is his ability to create shooting opportunities. In the 2022/23 season, he was joint ninth for total shots in the Premier League. Although he scored 10 league goals – joint 11th in the division – only three were from open play, with six from the penalty spot and one direct free-kick. This leaves room for improvement on his conversion of shooting opportunities, mostly around the edge of the penalty area (below).

Mac Allister strikes the ball cleanly off both feet, although he favours his right foot, but he can show a tendency to shoot even if other options are available. Because he lands on so many second balls and is alert between the lines during counter-pressing moments, there is the potential to achieve high regains. If Mac Allister's return on shooting opportunities continues to be relatively low at Liverpool, he could look more often to break the opponent’s last line – especially when teammates are on the final shoulder, or unmarked, with space in behind.

Out of possession

Mac Allister's counter-pressing – trained to an almost instinctive level – consists of controlled aggression, with a desire to duel for and regain the ball (below). He is also very intelligent when defending higher up the pitch. He will create a pressing trap by initially leaving his direct opponent looking like they are free to receive, before timing his movement as the ball moves and engaging just as a pass arrives at his opponent’s feet. Unless his opponent is outstanding on their first touch, Mac Allister is able to limit their play.

Attacking midfielder
Mac Allister was used as an attacking midfielder for Brighton, operating as the number 10 within De Zerbi’s 4-2-3-1 shape. As Brighton attempted to build and draw opponents out through the central spaces, Mac Allister had licence to drop in and form the central box, with movements opposite to the centre-forward, usually Danny Welbeck or Evan Ferguson.

Predominantly operating in the left inside channel (below) as a number 10, Mac Allister used a variety of passing to link well with runs in behind from Kaoru Mitoma, or delayed overlapping support from left-back Pervis Estupiñán. 

Movements
Where possible, Mac Allister will revert into central spaces, often timing his movements based off initial runs made by the number nine. Just as the front line do, Mac Allister provides his own double movements. This helps him arrive unmarked on the edge of the penalty area for cut-backs.

His movements inside the box are also adapted to teammate's movements around him. Despite not being aerially dominant, Mac Allister will land on the second phase with delayed runs. Although this may not result in a goal threat very often, it helps secure possession in the final third and lock the opposition into their own half for longer.

In a double pivot
When used in a deeper role, Mac Allister’s ability to break the first line has improved significantly. Playing under De Zerbi helped develop his ability to receive under touch-tight pressure.

He is capable of dropping from a higher starting position and working alongside a single pivot with superb timing. This dropping action not only creates space higher up the pitch for passes that bypass midfield, but also helps with playing around the corner to advancing wide players. With Mac Allister involved on the left, and Mitoma often holding the width, underlapping runs from Estupiñán created a key combination for Brighton (below). 

To help Brighton build in their unique style, Mac Allister was also used as one of a double pivot, at the base of the box, as the 4-2-3-1 moved into a 4-4-2 with advancing full-backs. Mac Allister’s ability to receive between lines through subtle but well-timed movements helped Brighton break the first line and manipulate opposing central midfields. 

In this deeper role, Mac Allister’s duelling and counter-pressing was also evident, as well as an ability to lock the edge of the area by landing on loose and second balls. Across the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Premier League campaigns, he registered the third most duels for Brighton.

The Argentine's reading of the game also helps with regains – and, despite being smaller in stature than some opposing midfielders, he can use his body to battle for the ball when needed.

Now this spirit, along with his technical qualities, have given Mac Allister the opportunity to play a key role in Jurgen Klopp's midfield rebuild at Anfield.

To learn more about football tactics and gain insights from coaches at the top of the game, visit CV Academy

Author: The Coaches' Voice