Mac Allister is Liverpool's new driving force from deep

Alexis Mac Allister has established himself as the driving force in Liverpool's midfield. 

The World Cup winner scored his first goal for the Merseysiders last Sunday, rifling a stunning strike home against Fulham. 

Signed from Brighton in June, the 24-year-old has been excelling in a deeper role for the six-time European champions.

Ahead of Liverpool's match at Sheffield United tonight, we take a look at how he has adapted to life at Anfield. 

Sweetest of strikes

Mac Allister's confidence will have received a massive boost after netting one of the goals of the season against the Cottagers.

Struck from distance, the Argentine's first-half shot rocketed into the top corner, leaving Bernd Leno clutching at thin air.

After the match, Mac Allister said: "I scored a nice one against Leicester [for Brighton] but it was disallowed. 

"So I think it was the best goal I scored in my life. Not a bad start to my career in Liverpool as a goalscorer! 

"As soon as I hit it, I knew that it was going to be a goal. 

"Very nice goal but as I always say, when I play as a No6 I am not very worried about goals and assists. I have other work to do but it's always nice to score." 

Role change

Liverpool fans may have expected Mac Allister to be among the goals sooner, having scored 12 for Brighton last season. 

But as he mentioned, attacking returns have not been on the midfield maestro's mind of late due to the role that he is being used in by Jurgen Klopp.

It is another example of Mac Allister's time at Liverpool having confounded expectations. 

Most assumed that he would be used in a more attacking midfield position, rather than as a No6. 

After the win against Nottingham Forest in October, Klopp gave his reasons as to why he has used the summer signing in this way.

He said: "I think today everybody could see the benefit of a player who comes rather from the offensive side of the game than from the other side. 

"In a game where you have to create things where you have to pass, switch sides, that's how it is, because not all balls reach the target. 

"But if you try something in tight spaces, that's completely normal. I have no problem at all with losing balls around the box because that's where we should be then for the counter-press." 

Problem solver

Mac Allister has given his own thoughts on being tasked with shielding Liverpool's defence. 

He said: "Jurgen is playing me there, is giving me his support and I try to do the best I can. 

"I think I improved a lot in the last couple of years, defensively, and I think it's a job I can do well. 

"So I feel good, I feel that my team-mates and the coaching staff are supporting me." 

The key to the tactical move has been Klopp making sure Liverpool have additional players in close attendance — including Trent Alexander-Arnold when he inverts from full-back. 

Liverpool tried to sign defensive midfield specialists Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia during the summer but both ended up joining Chelsea. 

That suggests Klopp may not see Mac Allister's long-term future in that role but for now, he is solving an important problem for the manager.