Liverpool walked away from north London with three points in the bag, a 2-1 victory over Tottenham, and another important step forward under Arne Slot. On the surface, it looked like a strong result. Away from home, against a difficult opponent, Liverpool showed resilience, discipline, and just enough quality to get the job done. But as the celebrations died down, attention quickly turned to one uncomfortable truth. Not every Liverpool player came out of that game with credit. In fact, one key man was almost invisible, and his performance has sparked serious debate about his future in the starting eleven.
From the opening minutes, the match had an odd rhythm. Both teams looked nervous, cautious, almost afraid to make the first big mistake. The pace was slow, the passing safe, and the risk-taking minimal. Tottenham tried to feel their way into the game, while Liverpool seemed content to stay organised and wait for opportunities. It was not a classic Premier League battle full of intensity and chaos. Instead, it was tense, quiet, and tactical.
Then came the moment that changed everything. Xavi Simons, in a moment of complete recklessness, flew into Virgil van Dijk from behind and caught him high on the back of the leg. It was dangerous, unnecessary, and immediately drew gasps from players and fans alike. The referee initially let play continue, but VAR intervened. John Brooks was sent to the pitchside monitor, and after reviewing the incident, he had no choice. A straight red card. Tottenham were down to ten men, and the balance of the game shifted instantly.
At that moment, Liverpool had exactly what they needed. A numerical advantage, control of possession, and a chance to impose themselves on the game. This should have been the spark. This should have been the point where Liverpool stepped up, moved the ball faster, found spaces, and punished their opponents. But that did not happen straight away. Instead, the game continued at the same slow pace. Liverpool dominated possession but did very little with it. Tottenham, despite being a man down, stayed compact and disciplined, forcing Liverpool to pass around them rather than through them.
This is where questions began to form. With an extra man and time on the ball, Liverpool needed creativity, imagination, and leadership in midfield. They needed someone to take responsibility, to demand the ball, to dictate the tempo, and to unlock a stubborn defence. That player was supposed to be Alexis Mac Allister. But instead of stepping forward, he drifted quietly through the game, barely leaving a mark.
The first half ended without a goal. Liverpool had control but not control with purpose. Tottenham were relieved to reach the break level, while Arne Slot knew changes were needed. When the teams returned for the second half, Liverpool showed more intent. Slot made a bold decision, bringing on Alexander Isak for Conor Bradley. It was an attacking move, a clear signal that Liverpool wanted to press their advantage.
The impact was immediate. Liverpool began to stretch Tottenham, pushing higher, moving the ball quicker, and finding gaps. Eleven minutes into the second half, the breakthrough finally came. Florian Wirtz slipped a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Alexander Isak, who showed calmness and quality to sweep the ball home. It was a moment of real class, and Liverpool deserved the lead at that point.
However, the goal came with a cost. In the build-up, Isak was caught by a desperate sliding tackle from Micky van de Ven. The challenge left him injured, and he was forced off soon after scoring. Liverpool had gained the advantage on the scoreboard, but lost an important attacking outlet.
Tottenham, to their credit, did not give up. Even with ten men, they tried to push forward when possible. Randal Kolo Muani came close to equalising when his deflected effort smashed against the crossbar. It was a warning shot. Liverpool were still not fully in control, and one mistake could change everything.
But Liverpool responded well. They doubled their lead through Hugo Ekitike, who rose highest to meet Jeremie Frimpong’s cross and head the ball into the net. At 2-0, the game seemed settled. Tottenham were struggling physically and mentally, and Liverpool looked ready to see the game out.
Any remaining hope for Spurs disappeared when Cristian Romero lost his discipline. Already on a yellow card, he kicked out at Ibrahima Konate in a moment of frustration. The referee had no hesitation. Second yellow, red card, and Tottenham were down to nine men. The contest was effectively over.
Richarlison did manage to pull one back for Tottenham, but it was too little, too late. Liverpool held on comfortably to secure a 2-1 win. The result was positive. The points were valuable. The momentum continued. But football matches are not judged only by results, especially at a club like Liverpool. Performances matter, and some performances raise uncomfortable questions.
Alexis Mac Allister’s display was one of those. On paper, he played the full ninety minutes. He completed most of his passes. He even had a few shots. But football is about influence, not just involvement. And Mac Allister had almost no influence on the game.
Against ten men for most of the match, playing in an advanced role, he should have been everywhere. He should have been linking play, finding runners, creating chances, and controlling the rhythm. Instead, he seemed to fade into the background. He touched the ball only 46 times across the entire match. He played just 29 passes, completing 25 of them. Not a single key pass. Not one moment of real creativity.
He lost possession ten times, often cheaply, breaking Liverpool’s momentum. His defensive contribution was minimal. He won just one of his five ground duels. He was dribbled past twice. For a player expected to be a leader in midfield, these numbers tell a worrying story.
Watching the game, it was not just about statistics. It was about body language and presence. Mac Allister did not demand the ball. He did not direct teammates. He did not take risks. He simply existed within the system without shaping it. In a match crying out for someone to take control, he went missing.
This is why he was given a 3 out of 10 rating. That is not a number handed out lightly. It reflects a performance that actively failed to meet expectations. And for Arne Slot, it raises a serious dilemma. How long can he continue to start a player who is not delivering?
Liverpool’s midfield is an area of intense competition. Florian Wirtz, even though still adapting to the league, showed flashes of quality and provided an assist. Dominik Szoboszlai, before being moved to right-back, offered energy and threat. Even players coming off the bench looked sharper and more decisive. Against that backdrop, Mac Allister’s quiet display stands out even more.
Liverpool fans were quick to react. Social media was filled with frustration and anger. Many supporters feel they have seen this before. One fan complained that Mac Allister seems to do nothing every game, pointing out how different he looks when playing for Argentina. Another described him as incapable, struggling to explain exactly what he brings anymore. Others said he went missing again, a phrase that keeps appearing after his recent performances.
Some fans compared him to Cody Gakpo, suggesting he continues to start matches despite producing average displays week after week. Others went further, questioning whether he contributes anything meaningful to the team at all. One supporter even spoke about a physical decline, saying they had never seen such a drop-off in form before.
These reactions may be emotional, but they come from a place of concern. Liverpool supporters know what elite midfield performances look like. They have watched Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jordan Henderson at his best. They understand the importance of midfield control. And right now, many do not see that from Mac Allister.
For Arne Slot, this is a defining moment. He is still shaping his Liverpool side. He has spoken about standards, intensity, and accountability. Decisions like this test those values. Benching a high-profile player is never easy. It sends a message to the squad. But sometimes, it is necessary.
Mac Allister is not a bad player. He has quality. He has shown it before. But football is about the present, not the past. Right now, his performances do not justify an automatic place in the starting eleven. Slot has other options. He has younger players hungry to prove themselves. He has tactical flexibility. He must be brave enough to use it.
Liverpool’s win over Tottenham should have been a moment of unity and progress. Instead, it has highlighted a growing issue in midfield. Winning games while carrying passengers is not sustainable, especially at the highest level. Tougher tests are coming. Arsenal, Manchester City, European nights. In those matches, Liverpool cannot afford anonymity.
Arne Slot knows this. His body language on the touchline, his post-match comments, his substitutions all suggest a manager who is not satisfied with average. The victory buys him time, but it does not remove the problem. Decisions will have to be made.
For Mac Allister, the message is clear. Improve, or step aside. Football at this level is ruthless. Reputation counts for nothing if performances do not follow. He must rediscover his intensity, his creativity, and his hunger. If he does not, Liverpool will move on without him.
This match will be remembered as a win, but also as a warning. Sometimes, three points can hide uncomfortable truths. For Liverpool, one of those truths is that not every player is pulling their weight. And for Arne Slot, the next team selection may say everything about the standards he truly demands.
