ReactionAlexis Mac Allister: We're happy to be through and now our focus is on the Premier League
The Reds secured automatic progression to the last 16 of the Champions League with a resounding victory at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Mac Allister scored twice, with Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa also on target.
Post-match, the No.10 gave his reaction in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com. Read it in full below.
On an excellent performance and sealing automatic qualification for the last 16…
Yeah, a really important result. The performance, I think it was good, especially second half. I think we pressed really well, had the opportunities and scored some goals, which is important for our confidence. So, happy we went through and now it’s time to think about the Premier League.
On his two goals…
I love getting in the box and I love scoring goals. I know I don’t do it very often but I really like it and I think with the change at half-time, I went a little bit higher on the pitch and that allowed me to get in the box a little bit more. My second goal was a little bit lucky but good and then I’m still thinking about the third one! It could have been a hat-trick, my first one, but the important thing is that it was a good performance, a good result and now it’s time to rest.
On recording a clean sheet and showing improvement in both boxes...
Yeah, that was the idea. I think the attitude and everything from the guys was really good, especially running backwards and sprinting. So, I think it was a good performance, again especially in the second half. First half we were maybe a little bit too open and that’s not what we want, but there are positives [and] there are negatives. Now we have to analyse the game, think about it and go for the next one.
On the blossoming partnership between Ekitike and Wirtz...
Yeah, they love playing small passes between each other. They have an immense quality, everyone can see that, so now we are trying to adapt to them a little bit more and them to us as a team. So, the quality is there, it’s just about getting to the right spaces to score goals or be dangerous. They are really good guys, so we are happy to have them [and] we know their quality and now we are going to demand a lot from them as well.
On using the result as a springboard for the upcoming back-to-back home games in the Premier League against Newcastle United and Manchester City…
Yeah, that’s what we want. We know that we went through a difficult period, especially after the season that we had last season – we thought that this one was going to be almost the same, but it wasn’t and we have to deal with that. There is still positivity, still Champions League to play and FA Cup, so for me it’s about keeping on improving because that’s what we need to do if we want to win something.
On the prospect of a last-16 tie under the lights at Anfield…
Yeah, I love it! I love it, so I’m really looking forward to that. Now we have to wait to see who we play but I’m pretty sure that it’s going to be a special one.