Liverpool Star Expresses ‘Relief’ After Substitution in Thrilling Comeback Victory Against Wolves
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool maestro at the helm, divulged a candid insight into midfielder Alexis Mac Allister’s feelings during the thrilling comeback victory over Wolves as the Premier League roared back to life following the recent international break.
The resumption of Premier League action saw Liverpool make a resounding statement, rallying from a deficit to seize three pivotal points at the Molineux. The game unfolded with Hwang Hee-chan netting a goal that handed the home team an early advantage as they headed into halftime.
However, the Reds engineered a stirring comeback, with Cody Gakpo netting the equalizer before Andy Robertson’s late strike propelled Liverpool into the lead, eventually culminating in a 3-1 victory for the visiting side, with Hugo Bueno’s injury-time own goal sealing the deal.
Liverpool had secured the services of Alexis Mac Allister over the summer, luring the Argentine World Cup winner from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported initial fee of £35 million, potentially escalating to £55 million with add-ons.
Yet, Mac Allister’s afternoon at the Molineux turned out to be one to forget. The midfielder picked up a booking and was withdrawn by Klopp at halftime, making way for Luis Diaz, as Liverpool mounted their comeback charge.
Prior to this Premier League showdown, Mac Allister had been on international duty with Argentina, recently featuring in the squad that faced Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier. The match was staged in the Bolivian capital, La Paz, boasting the world’s highest elevation, which inevitably led to lower oxygen levels.
Mac Allister had been pictured using an oxygen mask to cope with the altitude during the international fixture. Klopp, in his post-match remarks, shed light on the midfielder’s condition, stating, “He was done. Yellow card and he was exhausted in the first half already. We know how good Alexis is, but in the first half, his decision-making… we saw during the week when he had the oxygen mask on. I thought a couple of times they should have left it on a little bit longer – that would have helped maybe!”
In a candid revelation, Klopp further disclosed, “It was just tough. When you’re in a game like this, it’s pretty likely you’ll come to a challenge a bit too late, and then you have the second yellow, and that’s it. That’s all. He had good moments in the first half, but he had some other moments as well, and you could see them. He was not really disappointed when we took him off. I think he was rather relieved.”
In an electrifying clash marked by Mac Allister’s early exit, Liverpool showcased their resilience and determination, leaving an indelible mark on the resumption of Premier League action.