“Still A Job To Be Done!” – Gary McAllister On Liverpool’s Title Chase, Midfield & Andy Robertson | OneFootball

By Leah Bower

Whilst not the goal-heavy thriller many fans hoped for, the Merseyside Derby still played its part in getting the Reds one step closer to the title.

Liverpool legend Gary McAllister is no stranger to success at Anfield; he played a pivotal role in the midfield for the club’s treble-winning season and was even his unforgettable last-minute winner at Goodison Park back in the same year.

Dan sat down with the Scotsman to get his take on the derby win, Slot and the league title, our midfield and Robertson’s future.

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On the derby:

“It wasn’t a pretty game, but I thought, over the piece, Liverpool deserved to win the game.

“You know, [Liverpool] dominated, certainly, the whole of the second half.

“There were a few breakaways in the first half, Everton could have punished us.

“I just felt, prior to the game, there was a wee bit of anxiety around the stadium. The fans were a wee bit nervous, but once the game started, I think I just felt we’d done enough to win the game.

“Liverpool’s a very humble club, and they never go and shout from the rooftops, but we’re in a really strong position now.

“Probably knocked the stuffing out of the people who thought they could maybe catch us.

“But there’s still a job to be done.”

On the manager:

“He’s been outstanding.

“To go on, if he achieves it, would be a fantastic feat to win the league.

“But the way his attitude has never wavered. He’s never been high, or he’s never been low.

“Even after a difficult ten days, two weeks, the two results against Paris, the result against Newcastle, and obviously the news of Trent.

“So I think that just boosted everybody beating Everton.

“I was fortunate enough to travel with the club to the USA in the summer … watching him train and watch his manner, right from there he could sense there was just a calmness about him.”

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On our midfield:

“I think the emergence of Gravenberch has been unbelievable because I think he was bought more as a running eight, somebody who could run from one box to the other box and get us up the pitch.

“He’s just morphed into this player who’s receiving and I didn’t see it, I must admit, and that’s big credit to the manager and the coaching staff because he’s just made that position his.

“I felt when Mac Allister was playing there, he was because of injury, under Jurgen, I thought he struggled to play there.

“He’s better getting closer to the other goal because he can hit a pass and he’s obviously got a great shot on him to threaten the goal as well.

“With Szoboszlai as well, you’ve got a baller, somebody who can sit and protect, and you’ve got somebody who’s a fantastic athlete.

“So I think the three is a good three. There’s a nice mix there.

“That’s a big strength of Liverpool’s and I think that’s what Newcastle identified that. At Wembley, they came and thought, ‘right, you’re not going to get control of the game here’.”

On Andy Robertson:

“I don’t look at Andy and think that he’s getting older.

“What a wonderful servant he’s been. He’s been fantastic since the minute he arrived.

“I’m aware and you can hear some of the little murmurs and the moans, but there’s still a bit of life in Andy.

“I don’t know Andy greatly, but just sort of briefly meeting him up in Scotland… He’s a lively character and he’s got personality.

“I think to be able to play at Liverpool, you can be quiet, you don’t have to be this prankster that’s making fun all the time, but you need some character and personality to actually perform in front of the crowd.

“I think he’s a big voice and I think he’s like a manager’s dream because he’s one of those guys.

“They say the best position to get in is when the players manage the team. The senior players will make the comments before managers come in and do their bit.

“So I think he’s definitely one of them. He’s been a fantastic player.”

Redmen Reacts

McAllister’s message of focus and staying humble echoes the words we’ve heard from the Liverpool camp all season. It’s all focused on the next game and that has never been more important than when we look at these vital next 4 wins.

We may not be over the line yet, but we are excruciatingly close. A calm manager, a midfield that has found its rhythm and leadership from the experienced players such as Robertson will be essential to get our hands on number 20.