Mac Allister Pinpoints Exact Moment Liverpool Transformed Into Premier League Title Hunters
Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that Liverpool's revamped midfield needed time to find their rhythm during Jürgen Klopp's farewell season. However, it was throughout that challenging period that the groundwork for the 2024–25 Premier League championship was established.
With Klopp's approaching exit casting a shadow, Liverpool could only secure third position in the final 2023–24 standings, trailing champions Manchester City by nine points.
The campaign also witnessed a comprehensive midfield transformation, as Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departed. Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were brought in as replacements.
"Everything requires patience," Mac Allister shared in an article for The Players' Tribune.
"The club had essentially replaced the whole midfield unit. A legendary group that had claimed every trophy. When myself, Dom, Ryan and Endo joined, it took us time to feel at ease playing our style, you understand? That midfield was extremely intense. We were different types of players. Somewhat less aggressive.
"We prefer to build up play. But when you have attackers like Mo [Salah] and Lucho [Díaz] and Cody [Gakpo] up front, they demand the ball immediately. It required time for us to adjust."
Mac Allister, who was signed for an initial £35 million ($47.4 million) from Brighton & Hove Albion, acknowledged that the realization came after a disappointing 1–1 stalemate against Luton Town in October 2023. The foundation for what became an surprising title pursuit the next season, following a managerial change during the summer break, was established that afternoon.
"I'll always remember, we traveled to Luton and managed a 1–1 draw, and when we reached the changing room afterward, we understood we had performed poorly," Mac Allister recalled.
"But then Jürgen entered and delivered a speech that we desperately needed to hear. Direct and straightforward. He stated, 'My previous midfield would have had the courage to go and secure that victory.' I recall just staring at the ground, thinking: Wow. Alright. He's absolutely correct.
"I believe that was the pivotal moment for us. We began playing with greater intensity, more directness, quicker pace. More determination. And we ultimately became very tight-knit, as a unit."
Mac Allister continued to characterize Arne Slot as the ideal "connection" from Klopp.
"It's amusing because I was so close with Jürgen that my colleagues were constantly teasing me saying, 'Ahh, Klopp is your father. Go embrace dad!'" he remembered.
"What can I say? I enjoy communicating with my coaches during training sessions and comprehending their expectations of me. It was identical with [Roberto] De Zerbi [at Brighton] and now it's the same with Arne. I have four or five father figures, I suppose!
"When Arne arrived, it represented a massive transition for us, because his approach is somewhat different. It's less chaotic and more about ball retention, but it proved extremely successful for us. But his personal support away from the field was even more crucial for me. I prefer not to elaborate, but I was experiencing some very private challenges last season. I confided in one individual about my situation, and it eventually reached Arne.
"He summoned me to his office one day. You never anticipate how such situations will unfold in football. But Arne was incredible throughout everything. He allowed me to express all my concerns, and afterward, I felt like I could relax somewhat."