As ‘talks’ advance toward a ‘likely’ departure, Liverpool receives a transfer boost for Alexis Mac Allister.

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In order to prepare for potential midfield departures, Liverpool will need to reinforce this position in the summer.

By the start of the following season, Alexis Mac Allister’s father has acknowledged that he anticipates his son won’t be playing for Brighton.

Having previously been a rather inconspicuous figure on the Seagulls’ team, Mac Allister’s reputation has significantly increased in the past year. The 24-year-old is now a highly sought-after player after helping Roberto De Zerbi’s team contend for European football this season in addition to helping Argentina win the World Cup.

Mac Allister’s destiny appears to have already been decided by his father, despite Brighton’s reluctance to let him go. Carlos Mac Allister, who also represents his son, gave a candid interview about what he anticipates from the summer transfer window.

He said to Bolavip that “usually the next transfer window will find him playing for another institution.” Although we haven’t decided which one yet and are only beginning broad discussions, it is very possible that Alexis will play for a different team in July.

In the future, Mac Allister’s father suggested that a return to Boca Juniors, the Argentinian powerhouse where Brighton’s No. 10 spent the 2019–20 season on loan, might be in the works.

He added, “Alexis will undoubtedly come back to play for Boca at some point. He is currently only starting his career in Europe, but when he decides to move back to Argentina, he will undoubtedly want to play for Boca again, even if only briefly, to show what level an Argentine club of this caliber can achieve.

Also.. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s midfield role vs. Arsenal explaind – what is an ‘inverted full-back’?

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role against Arsenal was certainly a talking point, with the right-back being used in midfield when in possession. Harry McMullen takes a closer look.

Anfield played a big part in the incredible turnaround against Arsenal, spurring Liverpool to stifle their opponents and create golden opportunities to beat the leaders. But it would be unfair to attribute all of this to heart, mind and desire. Jurgen Klopp brilliantly adjusted his tactical setup – and his use of Trent Alexander-Arnold – to give his side the platform they needed.

Out of possession – but not ideas

Both teams’ chips displayed “4-3-3”. However, as we all know, Trent was used as a full-back in this game, moving from his usual right-back position to central midfield alongside Fabinho. In the case of formations such as 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, this is the basis for a number of different formations for each phase of the game (attack, defence, pass to attack and pass to defence).

So from the kickoff and on defense, Trent was still right back. But when he had the ball he was very clear in midfield. Klopp called it the ‘Double Six’.

I saw it clearly when Liverpool were behind. Arsenal used interplay pressure with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli alongside Liverpool defender Granit Xhaka on the left or Ben White on the right. scrub.

Arsenal did this because they expected Liverpool to have a 2-3-5 formation (or “possession configuration”) in attack. Here, the Reds have two defenders and three midfielders in deeper territory, now secured by the full-backs.

Liverpool have been doing this for years, but they have often left space behind their full-backs for the opposition to exploit. Last season this changed to spreading the centre-backs wide and Fabinho covering the central area. The collapse of the forward press and Fabinho’s shaky form this season has left the area open. This is why pundits often say that Liverpool has a “soft core”. However, with the return of Trent, Liverpool were put into a 3-2-5 formation, with Andy Robertson retaining his place at centre-back.

Suddenly Liverpool had an extra body at the back – Ibrahima Konate covering the right-back – and they broke Arsenal’s pressing structure. Martinelli wasn’t sure whether to hit Konate and leave Trent open or follow Trent and deliver Konate straight to Salah.

It was a smart strategy with Klopp, given that Salah could play one-on-one with defender Alexandr Zinchenko, who was spending more time in midfield at the time. Unfortunately, Arsenal were also very clever and quickly solved this problem. Zinchenko even lost possession in midfield, pushing Xhaka to Trent and Martinelli to Konate. That left Salah 1v1 with Gabriel a much better 1v1 defender than Zinchenko.

The game was thus a battle of two identical 3-2-5 formations and who could use them better. Given that Arsenal still have two years of experience with this line-up, it makes sense that they lead by two goals.

What has changed? Alisson began to hit the long ball more often as Liverpool moved into second place from the back.

Liverpool’s long possession has declined this season as their midfielders have been far worse at winning the second ball. However, with Trent Fabinho in the back six, Curtis Jones and Jordan Henderson were cleared to play as the number 10 strikers in midfield.

Klopp spoke about how Liverpool were compressed after the game. The midfielders had less space and were able to counter-press. The pair were so tenacious that Arsenal began what Mikel Arteta called a “transitional game” where his team “lost control” so often.

Of course, the Anfield factor allowed Liverpool to make the most of these tactical adjustments. Even the best laid plans can be lost if the energy of the arena does not support them. How did Trent land the role?

There were mixed reactions to what ended up being a mixed performance. The likes of Gary Neville dismissed him immediately and Klopp said Trent “had to get used to it”.

One problem is that Trent is not a strong press player. This is very important when playing doubleheader.

Here is an example from scratch. Trent received the pass as planned, pressed the play with his back and had no choice but to go straight back to Alisson.

However, as the game progressed there were signs that his confidence was growing. Here he does a good impression of Moises Caicedo for his competent passing of the ball.

Trent also got into his favored position a few times in the game, including the late Konate, giving us Kevin De Bruyne. A great piece by Aaron Ramsdale?

pic.twitter.com/WFJDmIV9O8

— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) April 10, 2023

Of course, the assist for the equalizer came when it was 1-1 with Zinchenko near the foul line, so the overlap on the right at times is obviously advantageous. A convenient game plan – or a long-term change. 

But have they been successful enough to overcome Arsenal’s real problems? Considering I was a Trent Invert-Arnold fan, this worked surprisingly well for me.

Of course, Klopp’s version is much smarter than mine. Placing Andy Robertson (not Fabinho as I suggested) in the back three will allow Liverpool to switch quickly and easily from a 3-2-5 to a 4-4-2. to defend Arsenal’s spell of continuous possession. While this block encourages a compact midfield, the forward press is more flexible and the two forward lines supported by ball players “jump” into the forward press when needed.

If Liverpool pull this off, it’s clear that Trent’s move to midfield has allowed them to be “more compact, high line, close midfield, front three together” and has also created a lot of chances. From a tactical point of view, development is just as important as smart recruiting in activating next season.