Alexis Mac Allister opens up on playing as number six & Brighton 'mistake'

Alexis Mac Allister has insisted he 'likes' playing as a number six, after Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Brighton.

The 24-year-old was again used as Liverpool's deepest-lying midfielder, starting alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.

Mac Allister's continued selection in the role, which restricts his creative talents, has been criticised by some, with Anfield Watch writer Henry Jackson calling Sunday's display, the number 10's display his "poorest performance so far in a Reds shirt".

The World Cup winner was involved in a mix-up for Brighton's first-half opener, losing possession after Virgil van Dijk's pass, which allowed Simon Adingra to score.

Speaking after the game, Mac Allister acknowledged his 'mistake'.

He said to Liverpoolfc.com: "I think the first goal I should have done better, I should have been aware about where the players were. But it's football – we make mistakes. The important thing is how you react and I think the team reacted very well, and that will be important for the future."

Mac Allister also spoke again on the role he has been asked to perform so far under Jurgen Klopp, insisting he does 'like' playing as the more defensively minded number six.

He said: "I like it, I like it. I've said it many times, for me it's easy to say, 'No, it's not my position and I do the best I can.' But it's not like that. Jürgen is playing me there, he is giving me his support and I try to do the best I can.

"I think I improved a lot in the last couple of years defensively and I think it's a job that I can do very well. I feel good and I feel that my teammates and the coaching staff are supporting me. That's important."

In a heart-warming moment on Sunday, Mac Allister, who was returning to the club he left last season, received an ovation from the Brighton fans after the game, encouraged by manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Mac Allister spent four years as a Brighton player, making 112 appearances for the club.

In the 2022/23 season – his final year on the south coast prior to his £35m move to Liverpool – Mac Allister scored 10 times in 35 Premier League outings, helping the Seagulls to qualify for the Europa League.