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Beth Lindop
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister expressed confidence in the abilities of teammate Florian Wirtz after the latter’s standout performance in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over West Ham United.
The team regained their winning momentum at the London Stadium, with Wirtz showcasing one of his best displays since transferring to the club for an initial £100 million ($132 million) from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
Although the 22-year-old has faced criticism for a slow start in the Premier League and has yet to record a goal or assist, Mac Allister believes it’s only a matter of time before Wirtz begins to contribute more.
“There’s absolutely no doubt about his talent,” Mac Allister remarked. “What he can do in tight spaces is remarkable, and he displayed that today. It was a fantastic performance from him, and I hope he can continue this way.”
Mac Allister also praised striker Alexander Isak, who scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool against West Ham.
Isak, who joined the club for £125 million from Newcastle United on deadline day, has struggled with form and fitness, yet Mac Allister feels he is starting to settle at Anfield.
“I’m really pleased for him,” Mac Allister said. “He’s an incredible player, and we all recognize that. I joked with him because he doesn’t even smile when he scores. I’m really happy for him, and Florian too; both played exceptionally well.”
“It’s crucial for them to reach their potential,” he added. “[Isak] is quite reserved and sometimes prefers solitude. I try to engage him because his Spanish is decent, but he’s a quiet individual and we’re all glad to have him here.”
With this victory, Liverpool climbed to eighth in the Premier League standings, breaking a streak of three consecutive defeats across all competitions.
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When asked if the win could serve as momentum for the busy schedule ahead, Mac Allister replied, “Hopefully. That’s the goal. However, to be honest, I think we didn’t see the true potential of the team against West Ham.”
“We can perform much better, particularly defensively. But we need to keep pushing; our focus now shifts to Wednesday, aiming for a home victory.”
On the topic of the title race, Mac Allister commented, “No, that’s challenging. I believe Arsenal is very strong this season, and they fully deserve it as they are a quality side. Manchester City is also competitive.”
“For us, it’s not about the title race. Our goal is to collect points and showcase the football we can play.”