Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has criticized Alexis Mac Allister’s performance as a defensive midfielder following Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday (February 4).
Arsenal handed the league leaders their second defeat of the season, with goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard. Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35 million last summer, started the match in a defensive midfield role.
Despite completing 54 of 60 passes, creating two chances, and winning two of three tackles, as well as 11 of 15 duels, Cascarino was unimpressed with Mac Allister’s performance. Speaking on The Game Football Podcast (h/t The Boot Room), Cascarino stated:
“I don’t see him as a number six. I watched him in his early days at Brighton, he was way further forward, and way more effective. I don’t see him as a six, he gets caught way too much on the ball. Jorginho’s performance told you all you need to know about a holding midfielder, simple, move the ball, he doesn’t do that very well.”
With Wataru Endo unavailable due to his participation in the AFC Asian Cup 2024 with Japan, Mac Allister has been Liverpool’s sole choice in the holding role. Despite his natural position being a number eight, he has delivered several impressive performances for Liverpool recently, notably in their 4-1 victory over Chelsea.
So far this season, the former Boca Juniors player has scored one goal and provided two assists in 25 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
