Alexis Mac Allister's pointed remark to Roberto De Zerbi sums up Liverpool star
It seems that Alexis Mac Allister has exactly the type of burning desire to play games that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will lose this season.
The Argentinian midfielder arrived at Anfield from Brighton this summer for an initial £35m fee. It followed a stellar 2022/23 campaign for the 24-year-old, who in December helped his country to World Cup glory in Qatar before returning to play an instrumental role as Brighton finished sixth in the Premier League.
His form inevitably alerted a string of big name clubs, with the Reds winning the race to his signature. And he made his competitive debut in last Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea, starting in a central role at Stamford Bridge.
But now his former boss, Roberto De Zerbi, has revealed that the pair fell out last season before the Seagulls went to Newcastle in May. Brighton were hammered 4-1, a result that at the time threatened to derail their European ambitions.
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, De Zerbi explained how the star didn't take too kindly to the team selection after finding himself on the bench: "Before a match with Newcastle, I told him 'Alex, you need to rest tomorrow, so you'll go on the bench.'"
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Mac Allister didn't hide his disdain, with De Zerbi claiming he responded by saying: "If you want to lose, make me rest." But his manager didn't get flustered, adding: "I hit back smiling and saying: 'I am surely not second to you in terms of personality, now go out of my office.' The following day, he was on the bench."
Mac Allister did appear late in the second half, but De Zerbi could later argue his decision to hold him back paid dividends. Brighton beat Southampton 3-1 in their next game before holding Man City to a 1-1 draw.
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Mac Allister made his Liverpool debut at Chelsea last Sunday (Getty)A final day defeat at Aston Villa wasn't enough to scupper a place in the Europa League, but it's a campaign Brighton will now embark on without two of their key men last season. As well as losing Mac Allister, his ex-midfield partner Moises Caicedo has joined Chelsea in a £115m deal.
Meanwhile, the former Argentinos Juniors player will be joined in the Liverpool midfield next season by Wataru Endo. The Japanese captain has joined from Stuttgart in a £15.4m deal.
The Reds play their first home game of the Premier League season on Saturday when they welcome Bournemouth. De Zerbi's Brighton meanwhile, will look to build on their opening day win over Luton when they go to Wolves.
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