Welcome to The Debrief, a Sky Sports column in which Adam Bate uses a blend of data and opinion to reflect on some of the key stories from the latest Premier League matches. This week:
Mac Allister’s physicality is a problemGallagher finds his best for SpursRohl’s key Everton role against CityMac Allister’s Old Trafford nightmareWhen Jamie Carragher says that “Liverpool lack the physicality to cope with the Premier League” it is not a reference to any one player in particular but there were times during the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United when Alexis Mac Allister seemed to sum that up.
The Argentina international could consider himself a little unfortunate that a trio of relatively minor errors were all punished. He turned his back on Matheus Cunha’s shot for United’s opening goal. It bounced off him and contrived to find the bottom corner.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.
“The second goal we did not concede because of the handball,” said Arne Slot afterwards. “We conceded it because we lost the ball in a stupid position.” That too was Mac Allister. A slack pass eventually resulting in Benjamin Sesko forcing the ball home via his hand.
Image:
Alexis Mac Allister’s loose pass was seized upon in the build-up to Man Utd’s second goal
A mishit clearance that was seized upon for Kobbie Mainoo’s winner capped it off and though Mac Allister had earlier helped to win the ball back for Liverpool’s equaliser, it was a performance that illustrated some of the issues that have dogged him all season.
Let’s be clear that Mac Allister has been a fine player for Liverpool. He soon became a favourite in his debut season under Jurgen Klopp and was an instrumental figure in their title win under Slot. He is 27 and that is young enough for him to rise again in a red shirt.
But right now he is struggling. In part, it is tactical. At Old Trafford, he was deployed in a deeper role with Ryan Gravenberch often freed up to roam forwards ahead of him. It left Bruno Fernandes in space and primed to spring the counter-attack time and time again.
Please use Chrome…
2026-05-05 09:00:00
