Alexis Mac Allister described Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa as a “tough battle” in a hard-fought Premier League clash at Villa Park on Wednesday night.
The Reds took the lead through Mohamed Salah’s clinical finish, assisted by Diogo Jota, but Villa turned the game around before halftime with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected strike leveled the score in the second half, but neither side could find a winner despite chances at both ends.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com after the match, Mac Allister admitted that while the team was slightly disappointed with the draw, they recognized the importance of taking a point. “Of course, it’s not the best, and we are a little bit disappointed with the result. But a point is a point, we have to take it and move on, because it’s going to be important at the end,” he said.
The midfielder acknowledged the back-and-forth nature of the match, with both teams enjoying strong spells. “
Yeah, I think it was a crazy game. Maybe we didn’t control the game as much as we wanted, we were not patient enough in some moments. But they are a really good team, they are very intense as well and very strong. We are happy with the point, let’s say, and now we have to keep working because we have really important games coming up.”
Mac Allister also highlighted the physical and tactical challenge posed by Villa’s midfield, particularly singling out John McGinn. “I think in the midfield area they have really good players, strong players like [John] McGinn. It was a tough battle, but it was the game we expected from the beginning. I think we played the way we had to play, and a point is a point, as I said.”
The Argentine also praised Mohamed Salah, who extended his impressive goal contributions tally this season. “We are really happy with him because we know how important he is for the team, and we want to help him get the most goals and assists he can. Hopefully, we can keep working, we can keep making those runs for him to pick those passes. Really happy for him.”
With crucial fixtures against Manchester City and Newcastle United on the horizon, Mac Allister emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation. “Yeah, definitely – we knew before this game that [they are] really important games. This one, Man City, and Newcastle. We have to prepare, rest – because it’s going to be important, and we don’t have much time to recover. Now it’s about resting and preparing for the next game, which is going to be really tough.”
Despite the draw, Liverpool remain eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, having played one game more than second-placed Arsenal.
