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Alexis Mac Allister has conceded that it will be 'difficult' for Liverpool to get back into the Premier League title race this season, even if its form continues to improve following a 2-0 win over West Ham.
Now nine points behind Arsenal, who were held by Chelsea this weekend, the Reds have struggled for form so far this year. But Arne Slot found a formula that appeared to work — albeit minus Mohamed Salah — at the London Stadium.
"That's difficult," Mac Allister told reporters when asked if Liverpool was still in the title race. "I think Arsenal is very strong this season and they deserve it because they are a really good team, and Man City is around there, but for us it’s not about the title race, it’s about just getting points and playing the football that we can play.
"To be completely honest, I think today we didn’t see the team that we really want to be. I think we can do much more, especially defensively. But yeah, we need to keep working and now the focus is on Wednesday and hopefully we can win at home."
So far this season, there has been a suggestion that Mac Allister has been playing catch-up with his fitness after missing part of the summer through injury. But he has played down that as a factor behind his form.
"I feel there was a lot of talking about me and how I feel physically, to be completely honest," he said. "It’s been a long time that I feel good.
"I know that when you lose people are going to keep talking and talking and talking, but it’s completely fine. I feel good mentally and physically. So yeah, now I just need to show it."
In a Liverpool team including both mega-money summer signings — Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz — against West Ham, the pair impressed as they fired the Reds to a win.
Isak scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool, while Wirtz was the best player on the pitch, especially in the first half, giving possession away only three times in total.
"I'm really happy for [Isak]," Mac Allister said. "I think he’s an amazing player, like we all know. I was joking with him because he doesn’t even smile when he scores!
"But really happy because he deserves it, and the same for Florian. I think he did a really good game, did really good, so it’s important that they are getting to their level.
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"[Isak] is very, very quiet; he likes to be on his own sometimes, and you can see that. I just tried to speak to him because his Spanish is quite good as well. But yeah, he’s a quiet guy and we are all happy to have him here.
"I think there’s no doubt about [Wirtz's] quality and what he can do in small spaces. It’s amazing and he did it today, as I said. I think it was a really good performance from him and hopefully he can keep going like this.
"They are really good people. We are all in the same boat trying to get out of this situation and they are very positive; they give their best. So yeah, they are really, really good and everyone likes them."
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