In the Merseyside derby, Liverpool defeated Everton. As victories and achievements continue to roll in, the botched Moisés Caicedo transfer becomes less noticeable.

It’s obvious that Liverpool desired a number six during the summer transfer window. The club was probably taken off guard by Fabinho’s exit, so it’s possible that the position was not planned for in advance. However, as soon as the sale was approved, a deliberate attempt was made to find a replacement.

Liverpool’s spectacular public declaration of purpose came when they made a move to sign Moisés Caicedo. It proceeded to the point where Jürgen Klopp announced the acceptance of a bid before Chelsea increased its offer and completed a deal.

Any shame from that story has long since dissipated, as Liverpool can now point critics toward the Premier League table. Having lost the same number of points as Klopp’s team did during the title-winning 2019–20 campaign, Chelsea is currently eight points behind.

Nevertheless, there has been a persistent sense that Liverpool will go back to the defensive midfield position. Klopp quickly signed Wataru Endō after missing out on Caicedo, but the deal had all the makings of a short-term one from the start.

Although the four-year deal contradicts that, Endō’s usage in the first few weeks appears to be more proof that he is not a Caicedo substitute. Only rarely has Klopp used the Japan captain, opting to start Alexis Mac Allister in the foundation of the midfield.

It appears that Mac Allister will be “unleashed” in a more senior role once a true specialist can be secured, with Caicedo’s former Brighton colleague filling the role in the interim. The World Cup winner, however, may actually be stranded where he is.

That’s partly due to his performances. For the most part, Mac Allister has adapted well to his role, despite the fact that they have drawn criticism—not least after his return to Brighton. Even if Klopp would want greater numbers overall, he is among the Liverpool team leaders in tackles and tackle success rate. More importantly, though, is that he is providing more of an outlet than Fabinho ever did when the ball is in his hands.

It appears that Klopp’s much praised “Liverpool 2.0” team is getting closer to becoming a genuinely ball-playing, possession-oriented team. Every midfield player under the manager’s direction should feel at ease handling the ball and be capable of making cutting passes at times.

More significantly, though, Mac Allister may be “stuck” as a result of his colleagues’ performances. Ryan Gravenberch made his first Premier League start against Everton as Curtis Jones was still out due to suspension, and the Dutchman was impressive.

Dominik Szoboszlai gave a performance that was equally spectacular as Gravenberch’s. Harvey Elliott, meanwhile, was called up off the bench and had a significant impact as well. It seems quite doubtful that Klopp will be eager to transfer Mac Allister into such a well-served part of the pitch if Jones is added back into the mix.

Klopp would have played Caicedo where Mac Allister is today if Liverpool had paid a record transfer fee to acquire him. In this alternate universe, FSG might not have pursued Gravenberch, but even in his absence, there would have been intense competition for the number eight spot, with two Argentines, Szoboszlai, Jones, and Elliott, missing out on playing time each week.

Although depth is not inherently bad, this would have seemed unnecessary. After all, Gravenberch appears to have been set free from his Liverpool bonds, having squandered a season of bench watching at Bayern Munich.

Mac Allister will improve defensively the longer he plays as the number six. He will keep providing Klopp with a fresh perspective on the position in the interim, one that improves Liverpool’s on-ball performance. He appears to be the genuine Caicedo substitute with every game that goes by, so don’t expect him to go anytime soon.