Twin Engines Rekindled: Mac Allister and Gakpo Reignite Form, Double Insurance for Liverpool's Title Race
In the League Cup clash at Anfield, Liverpool edged Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 to secure a place in the next round. In this match, midfield captain Alexis Mac Allister contributed a goal and an assist, showcasing a significant uptick in his recent form. The Argentine international had an unremarkable campaign last season but has now won back the roar of the KOP stands.
Ahead of the match, Mac Allister publicly expressed his disappointment at the club not offering him a new contract, despite watching teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch sign new deals. Speaking at the Champions League press conference ahead of the fixture against Atlético Madrid, he admitted: "I was told I wouldn't be offered a new contract, which naturally left me feeling deflated." But he immediately responded on the pitch with a stellar performance, scoring a superb chip in his match against Tottenham just under a week later.
With Szoboszlai and Gravenberch rotated out following their lacklustre performances in the draw against Fulham over the weekend, Mac Allister shouldered the responsibility of leading young midfielders Trey Nionni and James McConnell. The trio displayed impressive composure, exhibiting a calmness rarely seen in Liverpool's midfield this season. In the second half, Mac Allister set up Cody Gakpo with a superb pass, and the Dutchman curled a beautiful strike past Martin Dúbrava's grasp.
Gakpo was similarly criticized last season, with talk of him being a likely departure as Tottenham and Manchester City had both expressed interest, but Liverpool could not find a replacement and ultimately he chose to stay. Head coach Andoni Irala has repeatedly praised Gakpo's professionalism, and the Dutch forward has regained his momentum following coaching staff changes. He provided another assist during stoppage time, though much of the credit went to substitute Szoboszlai, who fired a thunderous strike from 30 yards out, igniting the Anfield atmosphere.
For Liverpool, the match was not without its flaws — they allowed Tottenham their first goal since August 26, with Connor Gallagher leveling the score with a second-half header. Prior to that, Tottenham had also squandered several chances: Lucas Berral forced an early save from Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Mohammed Kudus headed wide from close range. But Irala, in the process of implementing an intense tactical style, gathered plenty of positive signals. Nionni and McConnell shone in midfield, youth prospect Lewis Koumas covered plenty of ground up front, and full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong both showed significant improvement. Mamardashvili conceded despite his outing but remained solid overall, saving Omar Marmoush's powerful shot in the second half.
"I'm pleased with the team's performance — every player showed intensity and aggression," Irala said after the match. "We deserved the win and earned our place through." However, the biggest highlight of the night was undoubtedly Mac Allister's continued resurgence. As the players took their post-match lap, the cameras caught Szoboszlai smiling, but he pointed toward the Argentine midfielder beside him — seemingly recognizing even he was aware of his partner's importance. If Mac Allister can maintain this form, he may not have to worry about contract issues for much longer.