The Argentine revealed the changes he made in the summer to get back to his elite level
Long before he became Liverpool’s stoppage-time hero at Nottingham Forest, Alexis Mac Allister had already learned what it takes to compete at the highest level.
What has changed since last summer, according to the midfielder, is not necessarily what fans see on matchday, but what happens once he returns home.
In a recent appearance on the YouTube podcast “Agusneta y Teo D’Elia,” Mac Allister spoke about how a lingering physical issue last season forced him to reassess his preparation. Rather than ignoring discomfort, he sought outside help.
“Last season I finished with some pain and went to a nutritionist in Italy,” he said.
“I also saw a doctor who helped me a lot. I started to improve from there, the pain went away, so nowadays I really value that.
“I don’t train. I don’t come home and do gym work. But I have my spa area, I do my 10 minutes of cold therapy, I swim, a little sauna… little things that are more for recovery than actual training, because we already do quite a lot at the club. There are a lot of things I do when I get home because I have to train the next day and I want to feel good.”
From disallowed goal frustration to stoppage-time redemption
Mac Allister’s discipline off the pitch was mirrored by resilience on it during Liverpool’s dramatic clash with Nottingham Forest.
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The Reds travelled to the Midlands with a chance to close the gap to the top four but delivered an underwhelming performance overall. The first half lacked intensity and cohesion, leaving Liverpool chasing the game.
Late drama followed, as Mac Allister appeared to have secured victory when Ola Aina’s clearance ricocheted off him and into the net.
Celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled the effort out. Undeterred, the Argentine struck again in stoppage time, this time with the goal standing.
“It hit my back and my elbow,” he told BBC Sport.
“I understand the rule but if you understand football, that goal should have stood. I told Hugo [Ekitike] it would be a goal and one or two minutes later, it was. I’m very glad it was me.
“It doesn’t feel nice in the moment but it is what it is. VAR is a good tool if you look at the mistakes the referees used to make. We need to waste these seconds or minutes because it’s best for football.
“The first half wasn’t good at all; positioning, pressing, intensity. It was not our standard. The second half, I wouldn’t say it was good but it was better.
“We knew it would be a tough game because they are good at set pieces and they have really good players. It’s always tough to come here.”
