Liverpool FC are reportedly interested in signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion, and a recent Liverpool Echo article suggests that Liverpool have the perfect present for the Argentine midfielder – the iconic number 10 shirt.
The Number 10 Dream: Will Liverpool Make it a Reality?
Mac Allister has stated that his dream is to wear the number 10 shirt, which he currently wears at Brighton. Liverpool are yet to reassign Sadio Mane‘s No. 10 shirt, and it could be used as a lure to entice Mac Allister to Anfield.
However, the prospect of the number 10 shirt may not be enough to tempt Mac Allister to Liverpool when other factors such as wages, playing opportunities, and future plans are likely to be equally or more important.
The report notes that Liverpool’s recruitment team will spread their budget to bolster the engine room and that Mac Allister is front and center when it comes to Jude Bellingham alternatives.
The 24-year-old Mac Allister has made 107 appearances over four years at Brighton and helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar this winter. He is considered a global force and has reportedly caught the eye of other potential suitors such as Manchester United and Newcastle United.
However, the Reds are considered the favourites to sign him, and he would fit the bill for Klopp by adding guile, style, and creativity to Liverpool’s midfield. The other midfield options such as Nicolo Barella, Ryan Gravenberch, Mason Mount, and another Brighton prospect, Moises Caicedo, are also being linked with Liverpool.
Mac Allister: The Press-Resistant Playmaker Perfect for Liverpool
Nearly a decade ago, Jurgen Klopp claimed,
“no playmaker in the world is as good as a good counter-pressing situation.”
However, Brighton’s Mac Allister belongs to a new breed of players who can evade the press and create a fantastic game while pressing their opponents. He has superb close control, excels in tight spaces, and frequently dribbles away from danger to recycle possession or play progressive passes.
Mac Allister is an elite technical talent who is resistant to the press and has a keen eye for goal, scoring the most no. of goals for Brighton this season (10). He also has set-piece duty and delivers dangerous corners.
Mac Allister: Brains Over Brawn
Although he is not exceptionally athletic, he is intelligent and relies on timing to contribute out of possession. Mac Allister is a high-volume passer, drops deep to show for the ball, and can compare statistically to modern midfield playmakers such as Gundogan, Modric, and Ndombele.
He is most comfortable playing between the lines and eager to attack, making him an excellent fit as a No. 10 in a system like Liverpool’s. Other players with similar styles and abilities are Bernardo Silva, Pedri, and Curtis Jones who currently plays for Liverpool.
Liverpool have not assigned the No.10 shirt since Sadio Mane left the club last summer, and Mac Allister has expressed a desire to wear it. While Liverpool could use the shirt number as a selling point in negotiations, it is unlikely to be the deciding factor for the player.
However, Mac Allister could be a good addition to the team, adding creativity and style, and he could fit well with Jurgen Klopp’s counter-pressing style of play.