Alexis Mac Allister makes 'weird' Liverpool admission as 'pressure' message sent
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been talking ahead of the Premier League visit of West Ham United on Sunday
Alexis Mac Allister admits it is "weird" Liverpool find themselves in an unwanted position of challenging only for the Premier League title during the remainder of this season. And the midfielder believes the Anfield crowd can have a huge say in helping the Reds towards a record-equalling 20th championship.
Arne Slot's side, who entertain West Ham United on Sunday, go into the weekend requiring just 11 points from their final seven matches to mathematically secure top spot ahead of nearest challengers Arsenal.
At one stage this campaign, Liverpool were genuine contenders for four honours before a shock FA Cup defeat at Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle in February was followed last month by a Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain and a League Cup final loss to Newcastle United.
And Mac Allister - who scored in the 3-2 Premier League reverse at Fulham last Sunday - has lamented the Reds now being without a midweek game until next season.
"It does feel weird, to be honest," he said. "We didn't want to be in this position because that means you're not playing Champions League or another cup. But it is what it is.
"I think this week will help to train the things that we've done wrong, especially in the last game, and get prepared for the next one.
"You can especially prepare in a better way physically because you have the time to rest and train. It was a really good week, so hopefully we can show what we are working on and we can get the three points.
"We have the mentality and the group to get up and go again on Sunday."
Mac Allister's wonder strike at Craven Cottage was his sixth of the season, putting him just one behind his tally for last term.
"I don't set any targets before the season," said the Argentina international. "But I really like getting goals and assists and I feel like I can do it more often. It's really nice to score but at the same time I know I have maybe other things to do.
"I would love to score more and assist more but I'm really happy with the way I'm helping the team as well."
Four of Liverpool's final seven games - which are all scheduled for a Sunday - are at Anfield, starting with the clash against a Hammers side managed by Mac Allister's former boss at Brighton, Graham Potter.
And when asked by liverpoolfc.com about the importance of the home support, he said: "That's really clear, they know it and they will make it special, like always. We expect them to be behind us in these upcoming games because the pressure is there and if we are all together it's going to be easier
"West Ham is a team that has a lot of good players and now that they've changed the manager, they're a completely different team. I know Graham Potter very well, so I know how his team wants to play. We expect a really tough game and hopefully we can get the three points."