Liverpool’s leaderboard of lifts may require an update after Alexis Mac Allister chimed in on whom at the club tops the billing for brawn.
It’s common for defenders to be the strongest in any given squad given the importance traditionally placed on physicality when playing at the back. And given Virgil van Dijk’s renown as one of the world’s best in his position, one would be forgiven for assuming he’s the natural Anfield Adonis.
Summer signing Mac Allister has only been at the Merseyside club for a matter of months, but it’s his view Van Dijk doesn’t even make the top two in that regard. And the Argentinian’s instinctive answer may come as a surprise to many.
“I would say Mo [Salah], or [Kostas] Tsimikas,” Mac Allister recently told Goal. After the interviewer reacted with surprise that Salah topped the strength charters, the World Cup-winner went on: “Oh, yes. He’s all day in the gym, so he is very strong.”
Left-back Tsimikas may not be able to bag a place in the XI given Andy Robertson’s reign doesn’t look like ending anytime soon. However, that doesn’t mean the Greece international doesn’t boast at least one edge over his Scottish counterpartn, according to Alexis.
Salah’s scores in the strength department perhaps won’t be as big of a shock – particularly to anyone who has seen the Egyptian’s ripped physique. The team talisman – who remains key to Jurgen Klopp’s side and has had at least one direct goal involvement in all five Premier League outings so far this season – regularly has to outmuscle his way out of precarious situations.
That tide-turning trait was on full display at Molineux on Saturday when the Reds came from behind to snatch a 3-1 win over Wolves. Salah forced two goals to help seal the scoreline in Van Dijk’s absence, with the defender still sidelined due to suspension.
Tsimikas, meanwhile, has played just four minutes so far this term and remains a peripheral figure. Left-back starter Robertson scored Liverpool’s go-ahead goal in Saturday’s early kick-off, so while his strength rating may not match up, he remains head and shoulders above his squad rival in the pecking order.
Liverpool travel to Austrian outfit LASK Linz in their Europa League-opener on Thursday, and Van Dijk will be eligible to return for the visit of West Ham three days later. Academy graduate Jarell Quansah earned his full debut against Wolves in the Dutchman’s absence, and despite the early setback, his manager was mightily impressed with the display.
“He did exceptionally well,” said Klopp of the 20-year-old after the match. “In possession as well he was calm. It was like we had just met in the car park before the game with the organisation in the first half! But he played really well.”
