Liverpool sign Alexis McAllister from Brighton & Hove Albion

Liverpool have completed the signing of Alexis McAllister from Brighton for an undisclosed fee.

The Argentina international, who will wear the number 10 shirt at Liverpool, signed a five-year contract after being given permission to undergo a medical on Tuesday.

McAllister said liverpoolfc.comIt’s an amazing feeling. It’s a dream come true, it’s amazing to be here and I can’t wait to get started.

“I wanted to be on the first day of pre-season, so it’s good that everything is done. I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates.

“It’s been a great year for me – the World Cup, what we achieved with Brighton – but now it’s time to think about Liverpool and try to be a better player and a better human every day.

“Since I won the World Cup, I’ve said I want to win more titles and I think this club will help me do that – that’s the goal and when you’re at a big club like this you have to win titles. So, that’s what I want.

“Since I arrived here, I can see how big this club is – our players, staff, everyone. I am really happy and looking forward to playing for this club.”

From Argentina to Anfield 👌🇦🇷#famos alexis pic.twitter.com/d8sgzEGRzK

– Liverpool FC (LFC) June 8, 2023

the athlete revealed last month That the contract McAllister signed last October until 2025, with an additional year option for Brighton, contained a mechanism to help smooth the 24-year-old’s transfer.

Liverpool agreed a deal with the south coast club earlier this week after positive discussions with the player’s representatives.

Although Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League, McAllister’s heart was ready to play for Jurgen Klopp.

McAllister, who scored 12 goals and recorded three assists in 40 appearances for Brighton last season, emerged as Liverpool’s top priority in the summer window after they dropped out of the race for a signature Borussia Dortmund‘s Jude Bellingham in April.

It concludes the brilliant career of the former Argentinos Juniors midfielder, who was one of the World Cup winners in Qatar and then helped Roberto De Zerbi’s side secure European football for the first time in its history by finishing in the Premier League.

De Zerbi said McAllister’s exit: “I am proud to be Alexis’ coach. He is an incredibly talented player. It has also been a privilege to work with a man who has strong, traditional values, and I would like to wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom added: “We are incredibly proud of Alexis and sad to see him go. He did something very special, becoming the first Brighton & Hove Albion player to win the World Cup, and was a key player in our best season ever.

“He will always be welcome here at the Amex and in the city. On behalf of all Albion fans, I would like to thank Alexis for the many wonderful memories and great performance in a Brighton shirt and wish him all the best for the next chapter in his career.”

Our new number 🔟 is here#famos alexis pic.twitter.com/lYOPMb27wD

– Liverpool FC (LFC) June 8, 2023

Mahmoud Daoud will be one of those tasked with replacing him with Brighton, with a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund confirmed soon, while James Milner He is set to go the other way after his contract expires after eight years at Anfield.

The core work of the deal was led by outgoing sporting director Julian Ward and the club’s football operations team prior to Ward’s recent departure from the club. Jorg Schmadtke took over from him on 1 June.

The Anfield bigwigs have a long-standing relationship with McAllister agent Juan Gemelli, whose South American players include Renan Lodi, Alex Sandro and Allan. Gemelli was one of the actors involved in Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Inter to Liverpool in January 2013.

Liverpool believe McAllister’s age (24) and career appearances (160) fit with the demographics of some of the club’s successful recent signings such as Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk.

He was identified as a key target of the summer ahead of the World Cup and his performances for Brighton simply cemented Klopp’s admiration for his versatility and intelligence of play.

Go deeper

From Scouting With His Dad To Playing With Messi: The Alexis Mac Allister Story

What will McAllister bring to Liverpool?

Mark Carey analysis

McAllister made himself indispensable in a central midfield role at Brighton. His ability to retain control, evade his immediate opponent, and build attacks are among his main strengths.

He often drifts into pockets of space between the lines, looking to play in those in front of him, and his relationship with Moises Caicedo has been one of the strongest in the Premier League this season.

While Mac Allister has the stamina to press actively when Brighton lose the ball, he is less ball-leading than Caicedo and has room for improvement when defending in a more organized block.

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However, it is what he presents to you on the ball that is most attractive. Defensive midfield, central midfield, attacking midfield – wherever you put him, he’ll still provide that playmaking skill set.

Go deeper

Thank you, Alexis: Letter to Mac Allister

(Photo: Getty Images)