Alexis Mac Allister did Liverpool supporters a huge favour last night by potentially opening the door for a Champions League place.
A dramatic 99th-minute penalty after a VAR check was buried with aplomb and enough to earn Brighton a 1-0 win over Manchester United. While Seagulls fans celebrated, there were also cheers from the red half of Merseyside as the top-four race took another twist.
As it stands, Liverpool are now four points behind the Red Devils - despite playing a game more. Liverpool need a capitulation from either Man United or Newcastle United if they are to continue their six-year stay at Europe’s top table.
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However, the ECHO understands that Mac Allister could be plying his trade for the Reds next season. It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp needs midfield reinforcements and Brighton’s match-winner is on his hit list.
Claims in his native Argentina suggest Liverpool have already presented him with a contract offer to trigger a summer move. The ECHO has profiled the Seagulls star to analyse what supporters can expect if the forward ends up wearing black and white next season.
Background
Born in Santa Rosa, Argentina, Mac Allister hails from a footballing family. His brothers Francis and Kevin play for Rosario Central and Argentinios Juniors while his father, Carlos, represented the national team.
Mac Allister’s quirky surname for a South American is due to his Gaelic heritage, with roots tracing back to Scotland and Ireland. As a youngster, he too emerged from Argentinos Juniors’ academy and even played alongside his brothers in a 1-0 defeat to San Lorenzo.
However, his talent quickly became clear and it did not take long before European clubs came snooping. Brighton - owing to their shrewd transfer strategy - pounced in 2019 before loaning him back to his boyhood club.
A steady progression at the Amex has resulted in Mac Allister developing into a key component for club and club. He became a household name and national icon at the back end of last year by helping Argentina clinch their first World Cup since 1986.
Playing style
As a South American, it comes with the territory that Mac Allister is a technically gifted midfielder. Nobody supplies the bullets for Lionel Messi at international level if they are not up to scratch.
But the 24-year-old is a lot more than that. A rarity in the modern game, Mac Allister is neither an attacking midfielder nor a defensive one. His traits are well-rounded which makes him versatile but also a perfect fit for Klopp’s engine room.
Since Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment in September, he has played a deeper role in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but that has not stopped his offensive output. The Argentine has scored nine league goals while ex-Liverpool target Jude Bellingham has only bagged five.
Mac Allister also averages more shots per game (2.61) than his Borussia Dortmund counterpart (2.04). When it comes to passing, the Brighton man also completes a higher percentage (86.3 percent) of his deliveries than Bellingham (81.2 percent).
Klopp admitted that Liverpool had been outmuscled in their pursuit for Bellingham - now expected to join La Liga giants Real Madrid. While that served a blow to excited Reds supporters, Mac Allister - at more than half the price - is not a bad alternative.
Where would he fit in?
As already mentioned, Klopp is desperate to sign reinforcements for his engine room. Most fans and pundits agree that midfield has been Liverpool’s kryptonite this season, with age playing a factor.
Jordan Henderson could be used more sparingly if Mac Allister arrived but, admittedly, they are different types of players. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are billed as ones for the future and Klopp has fielded them more than he would have liked to in 2022-23.
On the left of a three, where those two usually play, is where Mac Allister probably slots in. For Argentina, the Brighton man plays this role well as Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul do the bulk of the defensive work.
But his versatility offers potential, with a potential midfield pivot alongside Fabinho also an option. One thing is for certain - he walks into the current Liverpool team.
What has been said?
Brighton have gained a reputation as one of the most well-run clubs in England. Buying low, selling high has been their strategy, with Ben White, Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella moving for astronomical fees in recent years.
Club CEO Paul Barber was asked about Mac Allister a short while ago and admitted there is always a price on his players’ heads. Reports have suggested Liverpool may need to stump up around £60million to land their man.
"There are always going to be rumours when we do well and our people do well," Barber told Sky Sports. "There will always be bigger clubs playing at a higher level, looking to take our best people.
"Every club is a selling club to some extent. Even the biggest clubs get tempted by huge offers. Our challenge, when we lose players, is to have players already in the door or to have some coming in immediately after them. We will continue recruiting as we have done and keep building for the future."
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