'Key': Stephen Warnock says two Liverpool players are developing an 'exceptional' partnership under Arne Slot

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Liverpool restored the positivity to their season on Tuesday by comfortably beating AC Milan at San Siro.

The Reds had looked excellent during the early part of Arne Slot’s reign, but were rocked by a surprise defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

All eyes were on how Liverpool would bounce back in Milan, as they faced a difficult test in the Champions League.

But the Reds – and Slot – answered every question thrown at them by the Italians. The head coach in particular earned some deserved plaudits.

Having seen his team get a little overrun by Milan during the early part of the game, Slot made a change in the midfield. The little tweak regained control and confidence for Liverpool and they went on to dominate the game.

Looking back at the change Slot enacted, former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock has praised the two players who were ‘key’ in helping the Reds wrestle back a game that could have gotten away from them.

Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch forming ‘key’ duo

Liverpool’s midfield has been the subject of plenty of discussion so far this campaign.

Having failed to sign Martin Zubimendi during the summer, the spotlight was always likely to fall on how Liverpool coped with the options they currently have.

So far, the answer to that question has been answered emphatically. Forest blip aside, the trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai has been brilliant.

Frank Leboeuf called Liverpool’s midfield a ‘masterpiece‘ after they dismantled Manchester United and while analysing Mac Allister and Gravenberch displays against Milan for BBC Sport, Warnock has lavished them with similar praise.

READ MORE: Alan Shearer explains how he feels Liverpool midfield played against AC Milan

“The play of Gravenberch and Mac Allister; they play so well, not only off the ball but they get in these half positions where they find space on the ball,” says the former defender.

“It cut right through the midfield and the forward line of AC Milan.

“Then Mac Allister is also looking for those gaps as well, he find those gaps. Get themselves on the ball, play forward, advance, it hurt AC Milan so much.

“Their relationship in that midfield is key,” Warnock adds. “It’s exceptional in the way that they play.”

Arne Slot finds his perfect pairing

There had been suggestions this summer that Zubimendi is a very similar player to Mac Allister and could dovetail nicely with the Argentine as a result.

While that may still be the case, Gravenberch has come in and looked absolutely at home next to Liverpool’s No.10 as well.

With Szoboszlai doing plenty of dirty work in front of them too, Gravenberch and Mac Allister look to have all the tools to be an elite pairing for Liverpool.

There is still a long way to go this season and things could still unravel here, of course.

But that also means that Mac Allister and Gravenberch have so much time to get to know each other better and develop their partnership further. That can only be a good thing for the Reds.