One of the biggest frustrations from Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Fulham was just how different the team looked once Alexis Mac Allister came onto the pitch.
For the first 60 minutes, Liverpool were flat, predictable and lacking any real control in midfield.
Then Mac Allister arrived and suddenly the flow of the game changed.
He looked sharp, composed and willing to get on the ball. Liverpool started moving it quicker, finding better positions and putting Fulham under more pressure.
It wasn’t a coincidence.
Mac Allister brought something that had been desperately missing during the opening hour — tempo and control.
And that brings us to the midfield.
I’m sorry, but after what we saw yesterday, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai cannot be starting together from now on.
The first 60 minutes from the pair was absolutely shocking.
There was very little control, very little creativity and not enough urgency when Liverpool had possession.
Gravenberch in particular looked short of confidence, while Szoboszlai struggled to influence the game in the way we know he can.
Fulham were able to make the midfield battle far too comfortable for themselves.
Then Iraola brought on Mac Allister for Gravenberch in the 60th minute and Liverpool immediately looked more purposeful. Even the player ratings reflected the difference, with Mac Allister receiving a 7 after a sharp cameo and being described as a positive influence in midfield.
The problem was that it was too little, too late.
Liverpool had already allowed Fulham to grow in confidence and had spent an hour struggling to find any rhythm.
By the time Mac Allister started making a difference, there simply wasn’t enough time left to completely turn the game around.
And that has to be a lesson for Iraola.
If Mac Allister is the player who can give Liverpool that control and intelligence in midfield, he needs to be starting.
Yesterday wasn’t about blaming one or two players for a disappointing result. Fulham deserved enormous credit for their organisation and Liverpool were clearly lacking freshness after Wednesday night’s Champions League win.
But managers have to make difficult decisions.
And based purely on yesterday’s performance, I don’t want to see Gravenberch and Szoboszlai starting together again anytime soon.
Liverpool simply looked far too easy to play against for the opening hour.
Mac Allister showed what was missing.
Unfortunately, he showed it after Liverpool had already made life far more difficult for themselves than it needed to be.
Hopefully Iraola has taken note.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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