Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes Alexis Mac Allister was unfairly singled out for criticism last season and has proposed a change in the Reds' midfield under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Mac Allister was among several players criticised for underwhelming performances during Liverpool's dismal Premier League title defence. Speculation about a move away from Anfield arose, but the Argentina international is set to return to the AXA Training Centre next week after helping his country reach the recent World Cup final.
Hamann defends Mac Allister
Hamann, a Champions League winner with Liverpool, insists Mac Allister was a victim of his own high standards. "He was singled out unfairly a lot of the time because, being a World Cup winner, people expected more of him," Hamann said. "The criticism was a bit over the top last season. But then again, if you're a high-profile player, the one thing you can't control is expectations. And I think that was part of the problem with him last season."
"Even though he's not played well, obviously he wasn't the only one. The issues were far, far bigger and far deeper than everything just being Alexis Mac Allister's fault," Hamann added.
Hamann noted Mac Allister's short break after the World Cup, saying he had only about three weeks to prepare for the season, which could have consequences. "He's just a player who keeps things ticking over. He can nick a goal and has scored some important ones," he said.
Proposed midfield change
Iraola has indicated Mac Allister's late return means he is unlikely to start in the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign, which begins for Liverpool at Newcastle United on August 23. Hamann suggests Mac Allister may have fallen behind Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai in the pecking order and calls for Gravenberch to be given a specific defensive role.
"You want a defence-minded player in midfield, and there's Ryan Gravenberch," Hamann said. "Even though in his earlier days he was probably a more attacking player, he played the role really well because Liverpool have got four or five players ahead of him who can cause problems and damage going forward."
Hamann praised Szoboszlai's versatility but prefers Gravenberch for the holding role. "I have been very impressed with Dominik Szoboszlai. Even in a struggling side last season he probably was, along with Hugo Ekitike, someone who came out the other side with some credit. He's played at right-back, so he doesn't mind doing the defensive side for the team," he said. "But I'd probably prefer Ryan Gravenberch playing in that position on his own, because he's got a bit more physical presence and he reads the game really well. So I think that Gravenberch will play there this season."
Expectations for new signings
Speaking to MrQ.com, Hamann expects more Liverpool business before the transfer window closes but believes Iraola's key task is to get more from last summer's arrivals. "Maybe you can say he's already got three or four players who are going to feel like new signings because they were signed last season but they didn't turn up," he said.
"Iraola's biggest job will be to get the best out of Alexander Isak, get the best out of Florian Wirtz, and get the best out of Milos Kerkez, who is of course a former player of his. We've got another three-and-a-half weeks in the transfer window. I'm pretty sure we'll see some business," Hamann added. "There were a lot of issues at Anfield last season, but even so, I think they are in pretty good nick, but they could probably do with two or three more additions this window."
