Liverpool change has been overlooked but what happened in 13th minute of Bournemouth win showed it
On a day of plentiful encouragement for Liverpool, Darwin Nunez inevitably dominated the headlines. But even before the Uruguayan struck his goal to remember, there was a moment that prompted purrs of appreciation from the Anfield crowd.
In the 13th minute, a header infield from Luis Diaz just inside the Reds' half fell to Alexis Mac Allister who, having allowed the ball to bounce once, swivelled his body before firing a half-volleyed pass between two Bournemouth defenders that sent Mohamed Salah scurrying through on goal.
Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was able to turn around the Egyptian's eventual shot for a corner, but the buzz around the stadium lingered in acknowledgement of the quality of the pass.
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That Salah had already started his sprint before Mac Allister even cocked the trigger demonstrated not only the understanding the Argentina international has with his team-mates, but also their faith in his ability to execute.
There was more of the same a bit later on, when one swift pass in a tight position invited Dominik Szoboszlai to progress into acres of space in midfield.
Of course, none of this is new to anyone who witnessed Mac Allister overcome a difficult start to his Liverpool career last term - encapsulated by his ultimately rescinded red card during Bournemouth's last Anfield visit - to become one of the most influential members of the squad.
But with the midfield focus thus far this season having rightly centred on the transformation of Ryan Gravenberch - again impressive on Saturday - into a dynamic defensive midfielder and the growing comfort in which Szoboszlai is performing as Liverpool's new number 10, the impact of Mac Allister is in danger of being overlooked.
Worth remembering is that, in terms of his time at Liverpool, the 25-year-old is also operating in a slightly different position having previously been used as a sole number six before being pushed further forward following the growing influence of Wataru Endo.
Now playing alongside Gravenberch in a double pivot - replicating the role he often filled with Moises Caicedo at Brighton - Mac Allister has in some ways the best of both worlds, able to push forward when possible and demonstrate his passing range while happily remaining involved in the dirty work.
Indeed, no Liverpool player has won more tackles in the opening five Premier League games nor stopped as many dribblers or blocked as many attempted opposing passes. In terms of creativity, only Salah, Diaz and Szoboszlai have been involved in creating more chances from open play. And against Bournemouth, Mac Allister could boast a pass accuracy rate of almost 93%.
"I think the team is still in a period of transition, which is quite normal (as) Jurgen (Klopp) was here for a good few years," says the Argentine. "For example, there are some players who had only ever played under Jurgen and had never had another coach.
“But I think Arne Slot came here with very good ideas and I think that the whole group and the fans can see what he is wanting to do and the ideas he is wanting to express in the team.
“We’re all very happy and feel really positive about what is ahead. We’ve a lot of games coming up and there’s a lot of competition, and that’s what we like; this squad is full of great players, and we can take on board the tactical ideas that Arne wants to implement."
What has helped the burgeoning understanding of Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai has been the consistency of selection in midfield. While Slot has started to rotate in other positions, the triumvirate in the centre have remained unchanged, Mac Allister playing every minute bar his substitution shortly after the hour in the shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Minutes have been scarce for the other options. Harvey Elliott managed just seven before fracturing his foot on international duty, Endo has had even fewer while Tyler Morton hasn't yet made a matchday squad.
Tellingly, Curtis Jones was given 15 minutes against Forest and then almost half-an-hour on Saturday in the 3-0 triumph against Bournemouth, with his lively showing suggesting he could be next in line for regular outings in the engine room.
And rotation will now need to be evident given Liverpool's increasingly hectic schedule and the need for fresh legs and to keep alternatives sharp. Every player, as Slot has attested, will be required, with the first real test of his midfield strength in depth is now approaching.
Mac Allister, however, is continuing to show he can deliver regardless of his midfield position or the players around him.