By Abimbola Ogunnaike
New Liverpool signing, Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that his chat with the club boss, Jurgen Klopp swiftly convinced him to appendage his signature to play for the club, just as he also admitted that he cannot wait to start playing in front of the “crazy” home fans at Anfield.
World Cup winner Mac-Allister became became Liverpools’s first major signing of what is likely to be a busy summer when the Reds last week triggered the release clause in his Brighton contract for an undisclosed fee, which is understood to be in region of £35m-£45m.
The 24-year-old midfielder had been courted by a number of clubs with Manchester United having expressed an interest and new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino making a late move for his signature.
Mac Allister, though, has explained how meeting Klopp was a decisive moment in determining his next club and penning a five-year deal with the Reds.
“I had the chance to talk to him and it was one of the most important factors in making the decision so early in the market,” he said. “I saw the desire to sign me, so for me it was very important. We talked about football, how he sees it and the desire for the club to continue growing and winning titles.
“To go to one of the biggest clubs in the world and the biggest in England is a great joy and a dream. I want to make the most of this opportunity, as it comes at a very good moment in my career.
“I really want to start with my new team-mates and my new coach, to get to know each other and train in the best way to help it be a good season.”
Asked about reported interest from other clubs, Mac Allister added: “I don’t like to talk about other options or about other teams because I always have a lot of respect for those other clubs. But I feel that Liverpool was the right step, not only for the present but for the history it has and that passion that it transmits so much.”
Liverpool fans will have to wait to see Mac Allister in action at home with the club not hosting the traditional home friendly this summer due to the final touches being applied to the Anfield Road Stand redevelopment that has also prompted them to request their opening Premier League game to be played away.
But having experienced the stadium as a Brighton player, the midfielder already believes the atmosphere is akin to the famous La Bombonera home of Boca Juniors, where he had a spell on loan earlier in his career.
Reds new player, speaking with ESPN Agentina, said “I have played twice at Anfield and any player you talk to tells you that it’s crazy how the fans support them. In England it’s the closest thing to Boca fans. Having a fan that always supports is very important. That’s why I said that Liverpool is the ‘Mouth of England’. I really want to start playing there.”
And Mac Allister is looking forward to helping Liverpool renew rivalries with Manchester City after the Etihad side ended their long wait for a first European Cup by beating Inter Milan at the weekend.
“Inter had a great tournament and a great final, but most of us believed that City were going to win the Champions League,” said the Argentina international. “Every game, they show that they are a great team that is very difficult to beat.
“Now they will play with the status of being European champions and all the teams are going to want to beat them more than before. It will be a nice rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City, which has been going on for several years but now it will be even more.”
Source: Liverpool Echo Football
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