"Absolute bargain", "What a footballer" - Liverpool fans hail superstar for his showing in 3-1 win over Leicester

Liverpool fans took to X to praise midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for his performance in their 3-1 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26). The Argentine produced a masterclass performance as the Reds extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Eager to quickly take advantage of Chelsea's slip-up earlier in the day (1-2 loss to Fulham), Arne Slot's men started the game by dictating proceedings. However, it was Leicester City that drew the first blood.

Jordan Ayew opened the scoring for the Foxes in the sixth minute, firing home a pass from Stephy Mavididi. Cody Gapko restored parity for the hosts in the stoppage time of the first half (45+1').

Liverpool started the second half the same way as the first and got the go-ahead goal through Curtis Jones within four minutes after the restart.

Mohamed Salah put the game to bed in the 82nd minute as he curled home a low shot past the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk. Arne Slot's side saw out the remaining few minutes and claimed all three points.

While Cody Gakpo won the Man of the Match award, Alexis Mac Allister also stood out for Liverpool. The Argentine midfielder assisted Liverpool's first two goals.

Apart from that, he recorded a passing accuracy of 88% (44/50), won eight duels, had 70 touches, won possession five times, created two chances, and had a rating of 8.1 (as per Sofascore).

After the game, fans took to X to gush over his performance.

An X user wrote:

''Mac Allister was superb tonight, absolute bargain.''

Another tweeted:

''Mac Allister I love you mate, what a footballer.''

''Mac Allister has been phenomenal now man come on,'' @benjamynma14 wrote.

''Alexis Mac Allister has been running the show in midfield today,'' @AnfieldWatch chimed in.

''Alexis Mac Allister provided two assists when Liverpool were losing against Leicester - his first of the season. Stepping up,'' @footballontnt added.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot warns of 'many challenges' still ahead after 3-1 victory over Wolves

Arne Slot said it is too early for his side to consider themself uncatchable in the Premier League title race.

The Reds are now seven points ahead of second-placed Chelsea while having a game in hand. Despite other contenders faltering, Slot urged for focus from Liverpool.

He said (via the club's website):

"I think if you’re in this game for a long time, like these players are and I am as well, then you know 20 games before the end you don’t look at it. You know so many challenges are still ahead of you. I think it was two months ago we were one point behind [Manchester] City and look what has happened there; in terms of injuries and then you have a bit of bad luck, you have a suspension. This can happen to any team, so it’s far too early to already be celebrating.

He added:

"But it is of course nice for us to be the team who we are. So, we know we are able to do this. But you have been at all these games like me and I don’t think there was any easy win for us during all these games. It could have been an easy win against Tottenham but then we conceded two and it was 5-3 and I was still like, ‘Hmm, OK’, I was quite happy with us scoring a sixth goal."

"That tells you how difficult it is to win if all your players are available, let alone if somewhere during the season you pick up some injuries or suspensions. That’s why we just have to take it one game at a time," Slot concluded.

The Reds will next be in action against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday (December 29).