Alexis Mac Allister‘s running battle with Amadou Onana may have been a footnote on Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, but it symbolises a big step forward for the No. 10.This has, no doubt by his own admission, Mac Allister’s most difficult campaign as a Liverpool player so far.After the tragic loss of one of his closest friends in the squad, Diogo Jota, the midfielder returned for pre-season unable to take part due to injury, while later in the summer two more allies departed as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez moved on.A continued struggle for fitness – which began long before the end of his title-winning season last time out – has not only limited his influence on the pitch but even led to questions over his long-term future.One of only two players to keep his place from the 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup in midweek, there was more scrutiny over Mac Allister’s involvement for the visit of Villa on Saturday night.But the Argentine produced a defiant response to his critics with a snarling display in Liverpool’s first Premier League win in five games.It was a performance that certainly got under the skin of Onana, who repeatedly tangled with Mac Allister whenever Villa set up for a corner – at one point grabbing Mac Allister by the throat and earning a lenient booking.At the end of that routine, with the foul awarded to Liverpool and danger averted, the 26-year-old pumped his fists in front of the home supporters.That passion has, at least visibly, been lacking from Mac Allister’s game this season, with it evident that he has played catch-up when it comes to his physical fitness and, as a result, his mental sharpness. Mac Allister thrives in ‘back to basics’ midfieldNinety minutes against Villa was certainly more like it: it was not only the first full game he has played for the club since April, but also one that saw him stand out statistically.Only Mohamed Salah (15), Morgan Rogers (14) and Cody Gakpo (11) contested more duels than Mac Allister (nine) on the night, and Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa (four) was the only player fouled more than his three times.Mac Allister ended the game tied with Dominik Szoboszlai for the most chances created of any player (three apiece), while Szoboszlai (54), Konsa (55) and Virgil van Dijk (77) were the only players to complete more passes than his 48.He was not only heavily involved, as his position in the midfield dictates, but he was productive in his efforts both on and off the ball.That it came in a reunion of last season’s tried-and-trusted midfield trio of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch was surely no coincidence; and similarly with Andy Robertson making his first league start over Milos Kerkez at left-back.There was a slight tweak from Arne Slot‘s title-winning engine room, with Szoboszlai serving as more of a natural No. 10, but Gravenberch was notably more restrained than he has been for much of the campaign so far as a sitting No. 6.It has long been argued that Liverpool would benefit from going ‘back to basics’ and it clearly bore fruit with Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch at the heart of a familiar setup.While Mac Allister has been a regular fixture in the Premier League throughout the campaign – on Saturday starting his eighth of Liverpool’s 10 league games – the pressure he has found himself under left him a fading figure.That, combined with Alisson‘s injury and Robertson’s demotion to second fiddle, has deprived Slot’s side of three of their established leaders.This influence may have been overlooked during Liverpool’s worrying slump in form, but with the onus on Van Dijk and Salah to lead while themselves struggling for consistency it has clearly played its part.Of course if Slot is to revert to last season’s successful midfield on a regular basis it would leave the head coach to address the elephant in the room: his £116 million playmaker, Florian Wirtz. Why Wirtz can still come into the sideWirtz was rested entirely in midweek and then left out of the side again at the weekend, only coming on for 13 minutes against Villa and completing just one of two attempted passes – the other going viral shortly after as it sailed away from its intended target and out for a throw.But while Szoboszlai’s impact may demand a continued run as Liverpool’s attacking midfielder, there is still a vacancy for Wirtz on the left wing, with Cody Gakpo worrying one-dimensional.Given the growing list of injuries and the relentless schedule to come, Slot can be expected to rotate frequently – and that will be no different in midfield.However, having struck upon a successful combination again on Saturday night it would be disappointing to see a revived Mac Allister separated from his usual midfield cohorts.For months now Mac Allister has been quietly touted with a move to Real Madrid – which, on the basis of this season’s form, some fans welcomed – but ahead of the arrival of Spain’s champions to Anfield, he may have now proved his long-term worth again.That it comes just under a year on from his Man of the Match display against the same side at the same stage of the Champions League makes his promised revival all the more timely.