{"id":2381,"date":"2026-05-05T14:02:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T14:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/?p=2381"},"modified":"2026-05-05T14:02:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T14:02:53","slug":"alexis-mac-allister-is-his-liverpool-form-a-physicality-problem-plus-conor-gallagher-and-merlin-rohl-in-the-debrief-football-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/?p=2381","title":{"rendered":"Alexis Mac Allister: Is his Liverpool form a physicality problem? | Plus Conor Gallagher and Merlin Rohl in The Debrief | Football News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"ui-article-body\" data-testid=\"article-body\" data-highlight-intro=\"true\">\n<p><em>Welcome to <strong>The Debrief<\/strong>a Sky Sports column in which <strong>Adam Bate<\/strong> uses a blend of data and opinion to reflect on some of the key stories from the latest Premier League matches. This week:<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mac Allister&#8217;s physicality is a problem<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Gallagher finds his best for Spurs<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Rohl&#8217;s key Everton role against City<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Mac Allister&#8217;s Old Trafford nightmare<\/h3>\n<p>When Jamie Carragher says that &#8220;Liverpool lack the physicality to cope with the Premier League&#8221; it is not a reference to any one player in particular but there were times during the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United when Alexis Mac Allister seemed to sum that up.<\/p>\n<p>The Argentina international could consider himself a little unfortunate that a trio of relatively minor errors were all punished. He turned his back on Matheus Cunha&#8217;s shot for United&#8217;s opening goal. It bounced off him and contrived to find the bottom corner.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6058004149001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"0f11e838-040b-4e70-8a4e-055c482d2097\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/api.condatis.sky\\\/auth\\\/video\\\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.\" data-clip-type=\"\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_0f11e838-040b-4e70-8a4e-055c482d2097\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"50\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-plclips-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"FkTAlw1HuO\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7238284\" data-sdc-video-id=\"0f11e838-040b-4e70-8a4e-055c482d2097\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"football\/premier-league-clips\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:0f11e838-040b-4e70-8a4e-055c482d2097\" data-video-type=\"\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"false\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-manchester-united_7238287.jpg?20260503173900\" alt=\"Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-manchester-united_7238287.jpg?20260503173900 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/1600x900\/skysports-manchester-united_7238287.jpg?20260503173900\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_0f11e838-040b-4e70-8a4e-055c482d2097\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool.<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The second goal we did not concede because of the handball,&#8221; said Arne Slot afterwards. &#8220;We conceded it because we lost the ball in a stupid position.&#8221; That too was Mac Allister. A slack pass eventually resulting in Benjamin Sesko forcing the ball home via his hand.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-alexis-mac-allister_7239481.png?20260505085827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/384x216\/skysports-alexis-mac-allister_7239481.png?20260505085827 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-alexis-mac-allister_7239481.png?20260505085827 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/1600x900\/skysports-alexis-mac-allister_7239481.png?20260505085827 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/2048x1152\/skysports-alexis-mac-allister_7239481.png?20260505085827 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Alexis Mac Allister's loose pass was seized upon in the build-up to Man Utd's second goal\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Alexis Mac Allister&#8217;s loose pass was seized upon in the build-up to Man Utd&#8217;s second goal<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>A mishit clearance that was seized upon for Kobbie Mainoo&#8217;s winner capped it off and though Mac Allister had earlier helped to win the ball back for Liverpool&#8217;s equaliser, it was a performance that illustrated some of the issues that have dogged him all season.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s be clear that Mac Allister has been a fine player for Liverpool. He soon became a favourite in his debut season under Jurgen Klopp and was an instrumental figure in their title win under Slot. He is 27 and that is young enough for him to rise again in a red shirt.<\/p>\n<p>But right now he is struggling. In part, it is tactical. At Old Trafford, he was deployed in a deeper role with Ryan Gravenberch often freed up to roam forwards ahead of him. It left Bruno Fernandes in space and primed to spring the counter-attack time and time again.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6057984924001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"48441f51-118f-4441-9911-096879902d8c\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/api.condatis.sky\\\/auth\\\/video\\\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"Jamie Carragher is worried about the direction of Liverpool and describes the profile of the type of new midfielder that he feels is crucial to the club.\" data-clip-type=\"\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_48441f51-118f-4441-9911-096879902d8c\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"49\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-sport-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"DESF5xFjJ\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7238416\" data-sdc-video-id=\"48441f51-118f-4441-9911-096879902d8c\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"videoplayer\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:48441f51-118f-4441-9911-096879902d8c\" data-video-type=\"\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"true\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-jamie-carragher_7238429.jpg?20260503185343\" alt=\"Jamie Carragher is worried about the direction of Liverpool and describes the profile of the type of new midfielder that he feels is crucial to the club\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-jamie-carragher_7238429.jpg?20260503185343 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/1600x900\/skysports-jamie-carragher_7238429.jpg?20260503185343\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_48441f51-118f-4441-9911-096879902d8c\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">Jamie Carragher is worried about the direction of Liverpool and describes the profile of the type of new midfielder that he feels is crucial to the club.<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;They cannot cope with the counter-attack,&#8221; said Carragher. &#8220;Before you know it, they get blown away by the pace and power.&#8221; This is the bigger worry with Mac Allister. His physical levels appear to have dipped alarmingly and it has been a problem for him all year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-custom-markup \" data-component-name=\"ui-article-custom-markup\" data-consent=\"pending\" data-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"article-custom-markup\">\n<section aria-label=\"Consent required\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-component-name=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" style=\"--width: 7; --height:4;\">\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body\">\n        <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-title\">Datawrapper<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><\/p>\n<p>                This content is provided by <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span>which may be using cookies and other technologies.<br \/>\n                To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.<br \/>\n                You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies or to allow those cookies just once.<br \/>\n                You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.<br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"true\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><\/p>\n<p>                Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies.<br \/>\n                To view this content you can use the button below to allow <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies for this session only.<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link-group\">\n<p>                Enable Cookies<br \/>\n                Allow Cookies Once\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>His average speed and top speed are both down on each of the previous two seasons. The pressing, which was a feature of his game, has dropped off too. Is that a result of Slot&#8217;s tactical preferences? Perhaps. The eye test suggests he is struggling to do it regardless.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-custom-markup \" data-component-name=\"ui-article-custom-markup\" data-consent=\"pending\" data-vendor-name=\"datawrapper\" data-testid=\"article-custom-markup\">\n<section aria-label=\"Consent required\" class=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-component-name=\"ui-consent-roadblock\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" style=\"--width: 7; --height:4;\">\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body\">\n        <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-title\">Datawrapper<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"false\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><\/p>\n<p>                This content is provided by <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span>which may be using cookies and other technologies.<br \/>\n                To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.<br \/>\n                You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies or to allow those cookies just once.<br \/>\n                You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.<br \/>\n            <\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__description\" data-show-on-fallback=\"true\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-description\"><\/p>\n<p>                Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies.<br \/>\n                To view this content you can use the button below to allow <span class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__vendor-title\" data-testid=\"consent-roadblock-vendor-name-in-description\">Datawrapper<\/span> cookies for this session only.<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ui-consent-roadblock-body__link-group\">\n<p>                Enable Cookies<br \/>\n                Allow Cookies Once\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mac Allister has already started more games for Liverpool this season than in either of the previous two campaigns. Could a break reinvigorate him? If so, it is not going to be forthcoming in a World Cup year. And so, the club must reconsider that midfield area.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, the trio of Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai was a triumph for Slot when they were unable to bring in a holding midfielder at the start of his reign. But it has since been exposed. Never more so than in the case Mac Allister at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n<h3>Gallagher shows his best for Spurs<\/h3>\n<p>Conor Gallagher produced a moment of real quality to set Tottenham on their way to a significant win at Aston Villa on Sunday. But it was the England international&#8217;s endeavour in midfield that earned the praise of the Spurs coach afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When Gallagher plays like this we play with 12 players because you can find him as a striker, as a midfielder, as a full-back &#8211; everywhere on the pitch you can find him,&#8221; explained an enthusiastic Roberto De Zerbi. &#8220;Great player, great passion, great qualities.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6058004149001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"0c36cffd-ffb8-4b78-82e0-b9a3799e3c0d\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/api.condatis.sky\\\/auth\\\/video\\\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"Highlights from the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.\" data-clip-type=\"\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_0c36cffd-ffb8-4b78-82e0-b9a3799e3c0d\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"50\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-plclips-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"FkTAlw1HuO\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7238611\" data-sdc-video-id=\"0c36cffd-ffb8-4b78-82e0-b9a3799e3c0d\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"football\/premier-league-clips\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:0c36cffd-ffb8-4b78-82e0-b9a3799e3c0d\" data-video-type=\"\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"false\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-aston-villa-spurs_7238602.jpg?20260503210336\" alt=\"Premier League highlights from the match between Aston Villa and Spurs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-aston-villa-spurs_7238602.jpg?20260503210336 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/1600x900\/skysports-aston-villa-spurs_7238602.jpg?20260503210336\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_0c36cffd-ffb8-4b78-82e0-b9a3799e3c0d\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">Highlights from the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The numbers bear that out. Gallagher covered 11.61 kilometres in the win at Villa, by far the most of any player on the pitch for either side. Importantly, it was a return to the all-action style that has long been his trademark but had been strangely missing at Spurs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-conor-gallagher-tottenham_7239468.jpg?20260505084131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/384x216\/skysports-conor-gallagher-tottenham_7239468.jpg?20260505084131 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-conor-gallagher-tottenham_7239468.jpg?20260505084131 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/1600x900\/skysports-conor-gallagher-tottenham_7239468.jpg?20260505084131 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/2048x1152\/skysports-conor-gallagher-tottenham_7239468.jpg?20260505084131 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Conor Gallagher's distance covered for Tottenham in their win at Aston Villa\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Conor Gallagher&#8217;s distance covered for Tottenham in their win at Aston Villa<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Gallagher had a higher average speed in this game than in any of his appearances under Igor Tudor and, indeed, any of his previous games under De Zerbi too. Operating in a more advanced role, he appeared to be a bit more liberated, able to go hunting the ball.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is what I do best, work hard off the ball,&#8221; Gallagher said afterwards. De Zerbi is noted for his love of technical players, of the possession game. But he wants and needs men who can deliver high-tempo performances too. Gallagher epitomised that at Villa.<\/p>\n<h3>Rohl&#8217;s role in title twist at Everton<\/h3>\n<p>Merlin Rohl was officially denied an assist for Thierno Barry&#8217;s second goal in Everton&#8217;s extraordinary 3-3 draw with Man City. While his attempted shot that flicked the heel of Abdukodir Khusanov counts as an assist in Fantasy Premier League, Opta&#8217;s rules are harsher.<\/p>\n<p>No matter. This was a breakthrough night for the German midfielder signed from Freiburg last summer. It was his first Premier League start at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and only his third in total &#8211; the last one coming in a victory at Aston Villa back in January.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-site-video sdc-article-widget callfn\" data-account-id=\"6058004149001\" data-amp-iframe-embed=\"\" data-asset-id=\"67814390-22f8-41fe-ad85-1d433f5d8469\" data-asset-path=\"\" data-asset-version=\"\" data-autoplay=\"false\" data-auth-config=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/api.condatis.sky\\\/auth\\\/video\\\/token&quot;,&quot;tokenRequired&quot;:true,&quot;fetchMethod&quot;:&quot;url&quot;,&quot;fetchOptions&quot;:{&quot;encoded&quot;:true},&quot;headers&quot;:{&quot;X-SkyGDP-Proposition&quot;:&quot;sportweb&quot;,&quot;X-SkyGDP-Territory&quot;:&quot;GB&quot;,&quot;Authorization&quot;:&quot;OGY5ZDgxZjRhNzYwNGQ3MTljMjFhMDJlOGVmODRhYzA=&quot;}}\" data-caption=\"FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Everton\u2019s match against Manchester City in the Premier League.\" data-clip-type=\"Highlight\" data-component-name=\"sdc-site-video\" data-component-name-alias=\"ui-sitewide-video\" data-competition=\"\" data-copy-url-text=\"URL copied to clipboard\" data-fn=\"sdc-site-video\" data-id=\"id_67814390-22f8-41fe-ad85-1d433f5d8469\" data-is-live-stream=\"false\" data-lite=\"true\" data-options=\"\" data-originator-id=\"50\" data-originator-handle=\"brightcove-plclips-gb\" data-package-name=\"\" data-provider=\"brightcove\" data-player-id=\"FkTAlw1HuO\" data-playsinline=\"\" data-sensitive=\"\" data-sdc-id=\"7239345\" data-sdc-video-id=\"67814390-22f8-41fe-ad85-1d433f5d8469\" data-sport-category=\"\" data-state=\"loading\" data-token-state=\"none\" data-video-ad-unit=\"football\/premier-league-clips\" data-video-blacklisted-originator-ids=\"\" data-video-id=\"ref:67814390-22f8-41fe-ad85-1d433f5d8469\" data-video-type=\"Highlight\" data-auto-pause-on-not-visible=\"\" data-defer-source=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-closed-captions-position=\"\" data-show-closed-captions=\"false\" data-show-pip=\"\" data-show-live-stream-scrubber=\"\" data-autoload=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__inner\">\n<div class=\"sdc-site-video__content\" data-role=\"bridge-controller\" style=\"padding-bottom: calc(100% \/ ());\">\n<p class=\"sdc-site-video__accessibility-message\" data-role=\"accessibility-message\">Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n<p>          <span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-role=\"poster\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster\"><br \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-man-city-everton_7239349.jpg?20260504224817\" alt=\"Everton 3-3 Man City | Premier League highlights\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-man-city-everton_7239349.jpg?20260504224817 600w,https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/1600x900\/skysports-man-city-everton_7239349.jpg?20260504224817\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sdc-site-video__poster-img excluded-image\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-poster\"\/><br \/>\n          <span class=\"sdc-site-video__loader\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-loader\"\/><\/p>\n<p>          <\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <video id=\"id_67814390-22f8-41fe-ad85-1d433f5d8469\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" class=\"video-js sdc-site-video__tag\" controls=\"\" playsinline=\"\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-video\"\/>\n        <\/div><figcaption class=\"sdc-site-video__caption ui-media-caption\">\n<p>          <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-role=\"caption-text\" data-testid=\"sitewide-video-caption\">FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Everton\u2019s match against Manchester City in the Premier League.<\/span><br \/>\n        <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Brought into the team along with Tim Iroegbunam, Rohl had a very specific task against City. &#8220;They both came in and I thought they both did great,&#8221; said David Moyes. &#8220;We needed another midfield player to deal with the way O&#8217;Reilly plays for Manchester City.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"sdc-article-widget sdc-article-image\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<figure class=\"sdc-article-image__figure\">\n<div class=\"sdc-article-image__wrapper\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sdc-article-image__item\" loading=\"lazy\" intrinsicsize=\"768x432\" src=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-merlin-rohl-everton_7239467.jpg?20260505084047\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/384x216\/skysports-merlin-rohl-everton_7239467.jpg?20260505084047 380w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/768x432\/skysports-merlin-rohl-everton_7239467.jpg?20260505084047 760w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/1600x900\/skysports-merlin-rohl-everton_7239467.jpg?20260505084047 1024w, https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/05\/2048x1152\/skysports-merlin-rohl-everton_7239467.jpg?20260505084047 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1024px) 1024px, 100vw\" alt=\"Merlin Rohl played from the right for Everton in their 3-3 draw against Manchester City\" data-testid=\"article-image-image\"\/>\n    <\/div><figcaption class=\"ui-media-caption\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption\">\n        <span class=\"u-hide-visually\">Image:<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"ui-media-caption__caption-text\" data-testid=\"article-image-caption-text\">Merlin Rohl played from the right for Everton in their 3-3 draw against Manchester City<br \/>\n        <\/span><br \/>\n      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Playing off the right, Rohl had to track O&#8217;Reilly&#8217;s clever runs inside while also making sure that Jake O&#8217;Brien had support in his daunting duel with Jeremy Doku. He got through a mountain of defensive work, while also managing to test City going the other way.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, Rohl might have had an assist early on too, showing impressive acceleration to get away from Marc Guehi and seeing his low cross diverted from Beto&#8217;s path by the fingertips of Gianluigi Donnarumma. No assist but a big performance, nevertheless.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to The Debriefa Sky Sports column in which Adam Bate uses a blend of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-liverpool"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeeworld.name.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}