Liverpool “discussions advancing” with Argentina’s World Cup-winning Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool are looking to add some stardust to their midfield by signing Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion. The club have already started talks with the 24-year-old and, although nothing has as yet been agreed, reports say he is expected to move on from the Seagulls in the summer after a superb season in the Premier League.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Twitter that the Reds were stepping things up in an attempt to persuade the Argentine, who is of Irish and Scottish descent, to make the move to Anfield.

“Liverpool have presented their project and also financial proposal to Alexis Mac Allister. The club will insist in the next weeks; discussions advancing but agreement not done yet”, tweeted Romano. The Italian journalist also put a timeframe on when we know if he will join Liverpool or not, saying that it would happen “early” in the summer, in “May or June”.

Will Liverpool miss out on the Champions League?

Jürgen Klopp’s side have endured a disappointing season and look likely to miss out on qualification for next season’s Champions League, having been convincingly beaten by Real Madrid in the round of 16 of this year’s competition. As things stand, the Merseysiders are five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who have two games in hand. Some have pointed to the Reds’ midfield as being one of the reasons for their struggles, which the signing of Mac Allister would go some way to addressing.

The Reds’ midfield uncertainty

37-year-old James Milner has inevitably become a bit-part player, while Thiago Alcántara and Jordan Henderson are still clearly capable but, now into their 30s, are also probably past their best. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the on-loan Arthur Melo are at ‘peak’ age but have never established themselves in the first team for different reasons, while youngsters Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliot and Stefan Bajcetic have shown plenty of promise but lack experience and have room to develop.

Fabinho has been a mainstay in Klopp’s midfield this season but, for many, hasn’t hit the heights of previous years. All of that has led the German to playing right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold further forward in recent games, a move which will give him plenty of food for thought for the future given his improved performances and six assist in the last sxi matches.

Mac Allister stars for surprise package Brighton

Mac Allister has played a variety of different roles for Brighton and has shown an eye for goal from midfield throughout the campaign, something which Liverpool have been lacking. Only four of the Reds’ 66 Premier League goals this season have come from midfielders. The Argentine has eight league strikes to his name in 28 appearances and has scored 10 times in 33 games in all competitions.

Brighton have exceeded all expectations this season and could even fight it out with Liverpool for a Europa League spot. The Seagulls are seven points behind Klopp’s side but have played three games fewer.