Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has challenged his team to raise their performance levels when they return from the international break
The midfielder opened the scoring with a well-timed header at Selhurst Park on Sunday before Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak added further goals. Eddie Nketiah scored a late penalty for Palace.
Mac Allister was pleased to get his first Premier League goal of the season, having already scored twice in the Champions League and once in another competition.
“It feels good. It’s the first one in the Premier League, but I scored twice in the Champions League and in another competition,” he said.
“It’s nice to score, especially from a set-piece because it’s something that I like. I think people and the coaching staff are realising I like it as well.”
The Argentina international also highlighted the growing importance of set-pieces, particularly in the Premier League, where physical battles and dead-ball situations are increasingly influential.
Liverpool had recently conceded three goals from set-pieces in a defeat, making their opening goal against Palace particularly satisfying.
“We know how important it is. The other day we lost a game where we conceded three set-pieces. Today we won it because we scored from it,” Mac Allister explained.
“We understand how important it is, especially in football nowadays. The Premier League is becoming more and more physical, so we work on it and we’re getting the results.”
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Mac Allister insisted Liverpool still have plenty of room for improvement.
He acknowledged that Palace made life difficult, particularly when breaking through Liverpool’s press, but praised the defensive performance of the centre-backs.
“It was a difficult game. We know that when we come to Crystal Palace it’s always going to be difficult,” he said.
“We defended the box quite well, especially our centre-backs. They were really, really good. Sometimes we tried to press and it was not perfect, so they could come out from it and create chances.”
Liverpool’s victory was also important psychologically, with the squad now heading into the international break on the back of three points.
Mac Allister was particularly pleased with goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who produced an outstanding first-half save to deny Daichi Kamada.
“He’s so good. Kamada couldn’t believe the save he made and he was telling me,” Mac Allister said.
“But that’s who he is. He’s an amazing goalkeeper and an amazing guy as well. I’m really, really happy for him.”
However, the midfielder made it clear that Liverpool cannot become complacent after their victory and must return from the international break determined to improve.
“We are glad with the result but we know that this is far from perfect and we have to keep improving,” he added.
