‘Wonderful player, wonderful boy’: Klopp marvels at Mac Allister’s impact

Jürgen Klopp praised the “massive impact” of Alexis Mac Allister after the Argentina international’s instrumental role in restoring Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool were at risk of dropping two precious points in the title race against bottom-placed Sheffield United when Mac Allister restored their lead with a superb strike into the top corner from 20 yards with 14 minutes left.

Related: Mac Allister’s thunderbolt sinks Sheffield United and puts Liverpool top

It was the 25-year-old’s fourth goal in five matches for Liverpool and provided the platform for another valuable victory, sealed by Cody Gakpo’s 90th-minute header.

Mac Allister was deployed in the No 6 position, with Wataru Endo rested as a precaution before Sunday’s visit to Manchester United. But the Argentinian’s decisive contribution demonstrated his ability to shape a game from anywhere on the pitch, according to Klopp.

The Liverpool manager explained: “He is a super important player for us, a wonderful boy. I met his dad after the game. He said thank you, I said gracias. That was the full conversation! I said hola as well and then my Spanish ends. Wonderful player, wonderful boy and really happy for Liverpool that we got him.

“It was not about him being in the wrong position. He played a good game in the first half too. You can play a game like this with a footballing 6 if you want. If we talk about Macca – is he better as an 8 or a 6? – There are two different subjects to talk about. One is his defensive part. That was obviously really good. I prefer him in eight as well but we are not playing in dreamland.

“We had a problem in the position tonight and in the end it worked out. The impact he can have is massive from everywhere.”

Klopp admitted Liverpool struggled with their control and rhythm against Chris Wilder’s relegation-threatened team even after being presented with an early goal when United’s goalkeeper Ivo Grbic struck a clearance into Darwin Núñez.

“One of my favourite goals ever,” claimed the Liverpool manager. “You ask a striker to press the opponent a lot but it’s rare you get close enough for that kind of block.”