Even with the potential fee of £20 million, Liverpool are still having a bargain when activating Mac Allister's £35 million release clause at Brighton.
"Mac Allister is the player I really want. Thank God we have him," said Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool successfully recruited the Argentine midfielder.
Former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward completed the deal shortly after the 2022-23 season ended. At that time, it was really surprising because the "Red Brigade" did not face much competition from other teams.
Remember, last season, Mac Allister was Brighton's top scorer and played an important role when Argentina won the 2022 World Cup.
Despite that, no one thought the 25-year-old midfielder would adapt so quickly at Anfield. Mac Allister does not seem to have any problems integrating into the new environment.
However, there are still questions about whether the former Brighton midfielder will fit the "number 6" role that Klopp has arranged. In reality, Mac Allister was capable of taking that position, but in return, this midfielder was limited in supporting the attack.
The 2022 World Cup winner admitted that he did not expect to be assigned the role of a deep-lying midfielder at Anfield. "It's clear that it wasn't an original idea. But everything has changed. At the beginning of the season, we didn't have a good 'number 6' so I had to do this."
And it was from that adversity that Klopp was a great defensive midfielder. In mid-season, the German tactician was delighted when Mac Allister established himself as one of the Premier League's top 'number 6'.
In the second half of the season, the return of Wataru Endo allowed Mac Allister to return to the "number 8" role. Mac Allister has scored three of his four goals and provided four of his five assists in his last six games as an attacking midfielder.
In addition, the player born in 1998 has had more tackles in the Premier League this season than any other teammate (39). He also ranked second at Anfield in possession (149), won duels (143), intercepted (30), touched (1869) and passed successfully (1288). And surprisingly, Mac Allister made no mistake leading to a shot.
As Liverpool prepare for the match against Manchester United, Mac Allister also asserted himself as one of the most dangerous attack threats on The Kop's side.
Mac Allister's late-third-thirds breaks are making it difficult for the opponents. The victory over Brighton was a typical example, when Mac Allister assisted Mohamed Salah to score the decisive goal.
Roberto De Zerbi later had to admit that the Argentine midfielder had reached a new level at Anfield. "I think he has become a great player. Liverpool's assist for the second goal was incredible.
I am happy, I am proud of him because I have worked with him. He deserves to be an important player in a big team," said the Brighton head coach.
Meanwhile, Conor Bradley, a Liverpool defender, had to exclaim: "Mac Allister is very calm and composed. He was a great player and I was very happy to play with him. To be honest, I don't have enough words to praise him."
If he maintains his form and helps Liverpool win the Premier League championship this season, Mac Allister deserves to be the contract of the season.
