Alexis Mac Allister may have just given Arne Slot a tactical headache. The Liverpool midfielder delivered one of his best performances of 2025 while playing on the left wing for Argentina, a role he’s never occupied under Slot at Anfield.
The 26-year-old scored twice in Argentina’s emphatic 6-0 win over Puerto Rico, with manager Lionel Scaloni deploying him in a traditional 4-4-2 system. It was a positional shift that transformed his game — and reignited a conversation about how Liverpool’s midfield could evolve.
Mac Allister: back to his best for Argentina
Fitness issues have dogged Mac Allister since the start of the campaign. Having missed most of pre-season, he has looked off the pace at times for Liverpool, struggling to impose himself in Slot’s high-tempo setup.
But for Argentina, the World Cup winner looked rejuvenated. Operating from the left flank, he cut inside intelligently, linked play with Giovanni Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul, and showed the kind of finishing touch that Liverpool have been missing from midfield.
| Alexis Mac Allister vs Puerto Rico (Fotmob) | Total |
|---|---|
| Goals | 2 |
| Shots | 5 |
| Pass Accuracy | 88% |
| Touches | 72 |
| Touches in opposition box | 7 |
| Chances created | 1 |
source: Fotmob / 15 October 2025
A role Arne Slot has never tried at Liverpool
Since his £35m move from Brighton in 2023, Mac Allister has featured 104 times for Liverpool — but never outside the central positions.
Under both Jürgen Klopp and Slot, he’s been used exclusively as a No. 6, No. 8, or advanced playmaker.
Yet his career stats reveal hidden versatility. Across his club career, he’s played:
- Left midfield: 22 times (5 goals, 1 assist)
- Left wing: 3 times (1 goal)
So while not his natural position, his history shows he’s more than capable of adapting — and Argentina just proved it.
Slot’s system under pressure
Liverpool head into their crunch clash with Manchester United on the back of three straight defeats, and their midfield imbalance has been a recurring theme.
Slot’s attacking style, featuring multiple creative midfielders, has left the Reds open defensively and inconsistent in transitions.
With both Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike thriving in 4-4-2 systems for their national teams, there’s growing argument that Slot could adopt the same shape at club level.
A 4-4-2 would offer:
- Defensive stability with Ryan Gravenberch and another holding midfielder screening the back line.
- Width and balance, with Mac Allister and Salah able to operate wider and support the strikers.
- Tactical fluidity when chasing games — something Liverpool have lacked this season.
Analyst verdict – the Scaloni blueprint
In my view, Scaloni may have handed Slot a ready-made solution.
Mac Allister’s sharpness and confidence on the wing showed a version of him Liverpool haven’t seen in months.
FootballPlace analyst John William adds:
“Playing him wide doesn’t mean wasting his intelligence — it frees him up. Slot needs to prioritise balance over structure. With Salah, Ekitike, and Mac Allister all excelling in 4-4-2 setups this week, the message is clear: adapt or risk stagnating.”
Key insights
- Alexis Mac Allister scored twice for Argentina in a 6-0 win vs Puerto Rico.
- Played on the left wing — a role Slot has never used him in at Liverpool.
- Has appeared 104 times for Liverpool, always centrally.
- Scaloni’s tactical tweak could inspire Slot to test a 4-4-2 formation.
- Liverpool face Manchester United next amid a run of three straight losses.
What’s next for Mac Allister and Liverpool?
Mac Allister will return to Melwood with renewed confidence and a reminder of his versatility.
If Slot is open to experimenting, he may find that Argentina’s blueprint could help solve Liverpool’s midfield imbalance — and unlock the best from his World Cup winner once again.
👉 Should Arne Slot try Alexis Mac Allister on the wing after Argentina’s 6-0 win?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 16 Oct 2025 12:20
they played against booboo land, so nothing serious. But I do think he has played in that position before if im not wrong.
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