Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has praised Liverpool's Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for his intelligence in the gutsy 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Liverpool welcomed Brighton to Anfield and knew only a win would do them in the title race. Jurgen Klopp's side were 1-0 down within five minutes, but drew level through Luiz Diaz's innovative strike.
In the second half, Liverpool huffed and puffed, with Mohammed Salah having a number of shots. Alexis Mac Allister, who was excellent on the day, turned the game on its head and found Salah with a lovely through-ball. The Egyptian made no mistake to make it 2-1. Despite a few nervy moments, Liverpool held on to go top of the league.
Alexis Mac Allister received lavish praise from the likes of social media, and Keane praised the World Cup winner for his display in the middle of the park.
This pass from Alexis Mac Allister to set up Mohamed Salah 🔥 #LIVBHA pic.twitter.com/ef2XVKr22o
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 31, 2024
"It was brilliant—a brilliant pass from Mac Allister. He is a smart footballer, I'll tell you that," said Keane
"I've been hugely impressed with him and his decision-making. It's just when you speed things up in the final third that you can see it here with the execution and the weight of the pass.
"It's a brilliant first touch from Salah; it's beautiful. It's sexy football to me. I love watching that."
Keane also praised Liverpool's bravery and determination to get the result in the end despite trailing for the first half.
"That's where the senior players are coming into it. Mac Allister is there, and he's the brains behind everything. You've got runners, and you've got energy, but you need someone with that football intelligence.
"Then you've got a great goalscorer like Salah. As all the great goal scorers do, they're not really worried about missing. They're not happy to miss, but that's where that bravery and courage come into it...
"What impressed me about Liverpool today was that they didn't panic."
Liverpool play Sheffield United on Thursday. The game kicks off at 7:45 pm.
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