Jurgen Klopp has made excellent signings in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, both of whom are perfectly suited to the team’s playing style, according to Liverpool legend John Barnes.
Liverpool secured the services of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported initial fee of £35 million, while Dominik Szoboszlai joined from RB Leipzig for £60 million (€69 million) ahead of the 2023-24 season.
These two midfielders are expected to bring versatility to the team as they can play in multiple positions.
They will add much-needed energy to Liverpool’s midfield, which is experiencing an aging process and may soon lose key players like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who are reportedly heading to Saudi Arabia.
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai’s ability to adapt and perform in various roles, after initially starting as wingers before moving to central positions, aligns perfectly with Klopp’s tactical approach.
Their acquisitions are seen as tailor-made fits for the Liverpool squad, and fans have high hopes for their contributions in the upcoming season.
“Last season I think it was fairly apparent that we needed midfield players,” Barnes told Stats Perform. “Of course, what you do is you use every opportunity to get who you can.
“So, in the strikers that we’ve got, I think that bodes well for the future. But I think you can see that we were a little bit short in midfield from an age perspective but also from a quality and intensity perspective.
“We knew we were going to lose two or three midfield players, so they are welcome additions to the squad from a positional point of view and also from the quality point of view too.”
Mac Allister was also the only player to average two-plus shots (2.68), two-plus tackles (2.18) and 50+ passes (56.2) per 90 minutes in last term’s Premier League, among players with 1,000 or more minutes.
That all-round approach and energetic demeanour makes the 24-year-old a suitable fit for Klopp’s high-pressing philosophy, in the opinion of Barnes.
“It’s not all about what impresses me, but he’s the type of player who will suit our style,” Barnes said of Mac Allister, who hit 10 league goals for Brighton last term.
“He may not be able to play for Manchester City but that doesn’t mean he’s better or worse. It’s just that we have to sign players that suit our style and are hardworking all-action midfield players.
“He’s not a Bernardo Silva type, but he suits what we want. Liverpool have always done that and looked to get players who suit their system, regardless of how other good other people think they are, or not.
“He suits our midfield profile and the template of a midfield player that we want. Hardworking, aggression and playing the ball forward quickly. He suits our style perfectly.”