Alexis Mac Allister’s two goals against Villarreal provided the most obvious evidence of his influence, but the Argentine’s performance was about more than his finishing.

Liverpool’s comeback was also shaped by the way their midfield began to function after a difficult opening half-hour. Mac Allister adjusted his positioning alongside Trey Nyoni, helping the hosts retain possession, regain control of the centre of the pitch and create better conditions for their attackers.

Andoni Iraola highlighted that change after the match, explaining that Mac Allister was adapting to a higher position and becoming more involved in attacking spaces around the penalty area.

“I think Alexis is playing so, so well since the beginning of the season,” Iraola said. He described how the midfielder could arrive in the box and occupy the half-spaces, while also praising his composure when Liverpool were struggling.

The assessment suggests that Iraola sees Mac Allister as more than a player responsible for linking defence and attack. He is also being asked to influence the game closer to goal.

Liverpool’s opening half-hour against Villarreal exposed the difficulties they faced in controlling the midfield. The visitors found space between the lines, moved the ball through the centre and repeatedly forced the hosts into uncomfortable defensive situations.

Mac Allister and Nyoni initially struggled to establish control, but their positioning improved as the first half progressed. Mac Allister explained that Liverpool adjusted their midfield arrangement to retain possession more effectively after rushing their play during the opening period.

The change helped Liverpool settle and gave them a platform from which to attack. Mac Allister’s equalising header brought the hosts back into the game, while his second goal completed the turnaround after the interval.

Those goals were important, but the wider contribution was the way he helped Liverpool connect their midfield with the attacking players ahead of him. His movement into advanced spaces gave Villarreal another problem to track and created opportunities for Liverpool to sustain pressure.

A midfielder operating higher up the pitch must still contribute to the team’s overall balance. The challenge is to arrive in dangerous areas without leaving too much space behind, particularly when possession is lost. Liverpool’s first-half struggles showed how quickly that balance can disappear when opponents find room through the middle.

Mac Allister has the technical quality to operate in tight spaces, receive under pressure and move the ball forward. His ability to arrive late in the penalty area adds another dimension, particularly when opponents concentrate on Liverpool’s forwards and wide attackers.

His performance against Villarreal also highlighted the value of experience. With Liverpool two goals behind and struggling to impose themselves, Mac Allister helped organise the response rather than allowing the game to become increasingly frantic.

That composure matters in a side trying to establish a more consistent attacking identity. Liverpool need midfielders who can accelerate play when opportunities arise, but also recognise when possession must be secured and the tempo controlled.

The partnership with Nyoni is worth watching. The younger midfielder offers energy and mobility, while Mac Allister brings experience and the ability to influence different phases of play. Their responsibilities will depend on the opposition and the players selected around them, but Villarreal showed that the combination can help Liverpool recover control of a difficult match.

Iraola’s other change was equally revealing. He introduced Florian Wirtz at half-time and moved Ryan Gravenberch to right-back, explaining that Villarreal’s midfield overload had made Liverpool uncomfortable without the ball. Gravenberch’s ability to defend inside and support Ngumoha in wider areas gave Liverpool a different way to approach the game.

That adjustment should not overshadow Mac Allister’s role in the recovery. The two changes were connected: Liverpool improved their structure, gained more control of possession and created better opportunities for their attacking players.

There are limits to what can be concluded from one match, however. Villarreal’s approach created specific problems, and Liverpool’s response was shaped by the need to recover a two-goal deficit. Mac Allister’s higher positioning will need to be assessed across a broader run of matches before it can be described as a permanent change.

The important point is that Iraola is looking for ways to use Mac Allister’s qualities closer to goal without sacrificing the control Liverpool need in midfield. His goals against Villarreal were the headline contribution, but his positioning and decision-making helped make the comeback possible.

Liverpool’s next match against Brighton will provide a different tactical challenge. Their ability to control midfield, progress possession and create chances against an opponent comfortable on the ball will test whether the improvement against Villarreal can be sustained.

Mac Allister’s positioning will be one detail to watch. If he continues to receive the ball in advanced areas and arrive in the penalty box, Liverpool could gain another source of attacking threat. But his role must also be judged by how effectively the team protects itself when possession changes hands.

The Villarreal comeback offered encouraging signs. Mac Allister scored twice, helped Liverpool regain control and showed the value of his experience in a difficult situation. The next step is to establish whether that influence can become a consistent feature of Iraola’s midfield.

For Liverpool, the most important development may not be that Mac Allister scored two goals. It may be that their head coach is finding new ways to get him into the positions where he can decide games.