Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister says he watched the Arsenal game on Saturday — with the Reds capitalizing on West Ham's win with a dominant victory over Manchester City following day creating an 11-point gap at the top.
"I watched the [Arsenal] game when I got home, the last 30 minutes I think," Mac Allister told reporters at the Etihad Stadium. "You want them to lose — that is pretty normal because it makes our life easier. There are many games ahead and they are a really good team."
The Argentine was then asked if he can enjoy watching Arsenal like a fan when the Gunners are playing at a different time to Liverpool. "When I watch, I don't enjoy, I prefer to play!" he said.
"It was [an important one]," Mac Allister, who picked up a bruised eye in the battle when Omar Marmoush landed on him in the second half, added. "When you come to this place, to play a team like Man City, you always want to win.
"Today we were really committed to what we wanted. We didn't play as we wanted and we didn't keep the possession as we wanted and we had to defend.
"But we did it pretty well. It is 11 points but [Arsenal] have played one game less. It is still the same: a long way to go and there are still difficult games ahead."
Rejuvenated in midfield and with Ryan Gravenberch playing well in the center of the pitch too, Liverpool looked much more compact against Manchester City than it has in recent weeks. Dominik Szoboszlai, meanwhile, was sensational as he scored, assisted, and ran more than should be possible after such a grueling couple of weeks in which he has been a mainstay.
"It's always easier when you have good players around you," Mac Allister said when asked about being part of the new-look midfield signed in 2023. "We have a really good team and really good midfielders. We are complementing each other very well.
"[Szoboszlai] is pretty important for us. Physically, he is really good; he can score, he can assist, so he is doing really well and he is really important."
Liverpool.com says: Mac Allister looked really good again for Liverpool against Manchester City. He has played a lot of matches lately and has at times looked jaded, but he and Gravenberch both stepped up a level for the big occasion. It was a big result for Liverpool and Mac Allister played his part by keeping things solid in the middle of the pitch.
