Alexis Mac Allister scored twice for Argentina in their 6-0 thrashing of Puerto Rico, and the Liverpool midfielder noted how it would ‘build confidence’ for him.
When it emerged that Mac Allister would be starting the friendly against Puerto Rico after playing 12 minutes against Bolivia on Sunday (also a 6-0 win), supporters questioned why he should be involved given his seemingly obvious lack of fitness.
In the end, however, the additional 90 minutes in the USA could have been a positive for the 26-year-old.
Mac Allister opened the scoring at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium, instinctively nodding in from close range against Puerto Rico who are ranked 155th in the world, just below Yemen and Lesotho.
After Gonzalo Montiel doubled the lead, Liverpool’s No. 10 got his second thanks to a powerful strike from inside the area.
This gave Mac Allister his first brace as an Argentina player, adding to the four goals scored in his 40 previous caps.
“These games help us gain rhythm. I’m happy with the result,” the midfielder said after the match (via Doble Amarilla).
“The lads were teasing me at halftime, asking if I was going to score three, but I never did and I’m not desperate.
“I like scoring goals but I try to do my best for the team. I tried at the end, but it didn’t work out. It’s important to score goals; it gives you confidence.”
Mac Allister has been well below his best for Liverpool so far this season, something he admitted after facing Puerto Rico.
He believes this could be somewhat of a turning point, though, adding: “The season hasn’t started in the best way for me, and this moment is important.
“We want to arrive in the best possible shape. These kinds of matches help us get into the swing of things. I’m not desperate for a goal, I try to do my best for the team.”
Bola VIP reporter Bruno Carbajo noted Mac Allister was “the most decisive player in the match thanks to his efficiency and goal-scoring instinct,” while Ole‘s Gaston Pestarino said he was “the best player in the midfield and on the team.”
He will now fly back to Merseyside to rejoin his teammates ahead of Liverpool’s game against Man United, a fixture in which he will hope to make an impact.
A fully fit Mac Allister is arguably the Premier League‘s best midfielder, and re-finding his form should be among Arne Slot‘s highest priorities to improve Liverpool’s performances.
Fan Comments