Alexis Mac Allister’s face told part of the story. An hour after the final whistle of Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Manchester City, the battle scars were evident yellow and green shades on his left eyelid, angry red near the eyebrow, more red around his cheekbone. The damage came in the 30th minute when he threw himself into a sliding challenge on Omar Marmoush. The City forward, whose shot was later ruled offside, landed hard on him. “He landed on me and I hit the floor,” Mac Allister said with a rueful smile. “I felt a little bit dizzy, but it is something that happens.”
Mac Allister has other colors in mind silver and gold, the ones that come with a Premier League winner’s medal. This victory, Liverpool’s first in the league at the Etihad Stadium since November 2015, could be the one that propels them toward the title. The result was made even sweeter by Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham the day before, leaving Liverpool 11 points clear at the top, having played an extra game.
Players watch their rivals as the season nears its climax, living the emotions just like the fans. “Of course, you watch,” Mac Allister admitted. “I did watch the last 30 minutes [of Arsenal vs. West Ham] when I got home. You want them to lose. I think that is pretty normal because that makes our life easier.” Asked if he enjoyed watching his title rivals, he was blunt: “When I watch, I don’t enjoy. I prefer to play them.”
Arsenal’s loss would have meant little had Liverpool not capitalized, but there was never a sense they would fall short. The midfield won the game, guided by tactical intelligence and trust in the plan. Both teams had injury concerns up front and opted for similar solutions playing without a traditional No. 9. City, missing Erling Haaland, started Phil Foden and Marmoush as central attackers. Liverpool, without fully fit Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo, used Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones ahead of Ryan Gravenberch and Mac Allister. When Wataru Endo replaced Jones in the 73rd minute, Mac Allister moved further forward.
Flexibility was key. The approach reflected the tactical shift from the Klopp era still pressing in a 4-2-4, but with a greater focus on shape out of possession. Recognizing that dominating the ball at the Etihad was unlikely, the emphasis was on defensive solidity. The result was what captain Virgil van Dijk described as a “complete performance.”
City had 66% possession but struggled to break through. Mac Allister and Gravenberch contributed with clearances and blocks, while Liverpool remained a threat on the counter. Their attacking play was fluid, with players consistently well-positioned. “We have a really good team and really good midfielders who came to the club at the same time as me,” Mac Allister said. “We are complementing each other really well.”
Tireless work ethic underpinned everything. At full-time, Szoboszlai lay face down for ten seconds, utterly drained. The focus now shifts to Newcastle at home, with a clear message from Van Dijk: recover, train, play, repeat.
“This was a big win,” he said. “I told the guys: ‘Don’t take these wins for granted, but when you go home, recover and be ready for Newcastle.’ That’s the only thing we have to do. Tunnel vision. Nothing else matters.”
His routine reflects that mindset: eating well, sleeping well, and following his recovery regimen. “I’m going home, get the sauna, do exercises in the pool, do all the normal stuff that helps me every day,” he said. “Then I’ll be ready tomorrow to go again.”
