Unsung Liverpool star named as Premier League's best player so far this season

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has quietly emerged as one of the Premier League's most effective defensive anchors this season, earning high praise from fans and former players. Despite not registering a goal or assisting in league play this season, former Liverpool star Glen Johnson identified Mac Allister's impact as the most important on the team and nearly all of the country.

The Argentine international has fought for a hard 29 tackles and four interceptions in league play, stabilizing Liverpool's midfield and allowing his more attack-minded teammates to execute their roles. Mac Allister's football IQ has been equally key in the Champions League, where he has continued to deliver standout performances.

His important goals against Bologna in October and Real Madrid in November were key to Liverpool's victories, and he's beginning to establish a reputation for rising to the occasion in big games.

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"He’s a player that does all the simple things so well," said Johnson, who wore a Reds jersey 160 times in Premier League games between 2009 and 2015 and remains deeply connected to the club. "The likes of Mo Salah and Cole Palmer will get the acclaim, but I believe if you spoke to any player in that Liverpool dressing room, they’d say that Mac Allister should be one of the first names on the teamsheet. He’s an unsung hero that does things very neatly and his teammates will give him the credit he deserves for that."

Johnson wrote that Mac Allister isn’t just the first name on Arne Slot's team sheet. The Argentine might currently be the best player in the Premier League. He also discussed the ongoing contract conversations with Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold and theories on potentially retaining each star.

Johnson thinks Salah is "in the driving seat" on team negotiations and is "using tactics" to earn a potentially longer extension. He shared his thoughts that Alexander-Arnold would likely stay with the club if they won this season instead of leaving for Manchester City, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich.

"If Liverpool win the Premier League, then I believe he will stay. I don’t think he wants to leave, and I don’t think Liverpool wants him to leave, but the longer this goes on, then the less likely it is that he will stay. He’s going to be at Liverpool or Real Madrid next season," he said.

"I don’t believe he’ll go anywhere else and I don’t believe any other club can compete with them two. If Liverpool win the league, then I think he’ll stay."