Alexis Mac Allister Liverpool truth Emerges as Staggering Arne Slot Achievement Clear
The Echo’s Ian Doyle highlights the key talking points for Liverpool following their crucial 2-1 home win over West Ham United.
Liverpool have struggled to capitalise on set-pieces this season, with only one Premier League team scoring fewer goals in that department. Yet, while their winning goal against West Ham came from an unexpected route, the player responsible for the breakthrough was a fitting figure.
Since his move from Brighton for a modest £35 million nearly two years ago, Alexis Mac Allister has been a vital cog in Liverpool’s midfield. His influence has been clear, and he often steps up when it matters most.
The dramatic finale to this match was largely driven by Mac Allister’s determination. He muscled Lucas Paqueta off the ball before unleashing a strike that forced Alphonse Areola into a save, resulting in a corner. From that very set-piece, Virgil van Dijk secured the decisive goal.
Although West Ham protested, claiming a foul on Paqueta, Mac Allister’s robust challenge was deemed fair – a decision perhaps justified considering how frequently he had been brought down throughout the match without consequence.
His performance went beyond that moment. Combining resilience with composed distribution, Mac Allister also posed a consistent goal threat. He was denied in the first half by Areola’s legs and later rattled the crossbar with a powerful free-kick early in the second half.
Though not as spectacular as his goal against Fulham the previous week, Mac Allister’s contribution was invaluable. If Liverpool do go on to finish the job in the coming weeks, few players will have earned their winner’s medal more than him.
Mo Salah Sets Another Record
Barely two minutes had passed at an eager and vibrant Anfield. Yet, for the Liverpool faithful, that short span was more than enough.
The Kop erupted in harmony, singing the name of Mohamed Salah, who had reaffirmed his dedication to the club just the day before by signing a new two-year contract.
A thunderous cheer welcomed his name when announced before kick-off. And Salah was never likely to let such a moment pass without making an impact.
He quickly asserted his dominance over teenage defender Oliver Scarles – a tough learning curve for the 19-year-old left-back making only his sixth Premier League appearance. Salah nearly found the net with a curling shot early on, and then he unlocked the West Ham defence in the 18th minute. Turning away from Scarles to latch onto Ibrahima Konate’s pass down the flank, he fired a low cross into the path of Luis Diaz, who finished with ease.
That assist marked Salah’s direct involvement in 45 Premier League goals this season – 27 goals and 18 assists – setting a new record for a 38-game campaign.
Luis Diaz has also ended the season in top form, with three goals and four assists in his last eight league appearances.
But this campaign has belonged to Salah. And now, with at least two more years at Anfield ahead, the story of the Egyptian King continues.
Arne Slot Celebrates Landmark
Fifty up, and few – including Arne Slot himself – could have predicted such a promising debut season.
The Dutchman celebrated his 50th game as Liverpool manager by recording a 36th win, the highest tally achieved by any Reds boss at this stage. Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish follow behind with 29 victories each.
Liverpool had already secured their primary objective for the league season – qualification for the Champions League – a day earlier.
While the win over West Ham may not have been their most emphatic display, it was enough to dispel any lingering complacency that had threatened to emerge during the previous outing against Fulham.
By this time next week, Slot could find himself among an elite group as only the fifth manager to win the Premier League in his debut campaign in England. The coveted title is now tantalisingly close.
In other news, Jamie Carragher Singles Out Liverpool Flaw to ‘Rectify’ This Summer as Hugo Ekitike Sends Message
