Jamie Carragher reveals Liverpool's plans for summer transfers following Alexis Mac Allister's 'steal'

According to Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's acquisition of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m is a bargain. The young player made a name for himself during the Qatar 2022 tournament and his transfer to Anfield is expected to be just the beginning of the Reds' summer spending spree, with three more signings predicted. Though the initial fee is reported to be £35m, sources suggest that the final cost could reach as high as £55m.

According to Sky Sports News, Liverpool had targeted the versatile Argentine player prior to the World Cup. Jamie Carragher acknowledged the player's talent, but also expressed that only time will tell if he will be a successful signing for the club.

"It looks like he can play every position in midfield, which will help Liverpool, but he looks a super talent."

However, the Sky Sports pundit did offer a word of caution about the player's move.

He added that while Brighton is undoubtedly a talented team, many of their players have struggled to maintain their form after leaving the club. This begs the question of whether Brighton's success is due to a unique system or approach that may not translate to other teams. With Roberto De Zerbi's impressive performance this season, it will be intriguing to observe how he fares in a different setting.

Rewritten fragment 5: The signing is certainly impressive, particularly when taking into account the cost - at £35m, it's a bargain for a 24-year-old World Cup champion with Premier League experience.

According to reports, Liverpool is currently eyeing Khephren Thuram from Nice and Manu Kone from Borussia Monchengladbach as part of Jurgen Klopp's efforts to strengthen his team. Jamie Carragher has also suggested that Liverpool needs to acquire another midfielder and defender to further improve their lineup.

The position of the player Liverpool will bring in, whether it be a centre back or full back, is still unknown. The discussion surrounding whether Liverpool will maintain the system they used to finish the season is intriguing. However, I believe they will acquire three additional players, including a defender and two midfielders.

'Mac Allister fits the bill for Liverpool' | 'He won't be the only midfield signing'

Sky Sports News reporter Vinny O'Connor:

The signing of Mac Allister is in line with Liverpool's planned strengthening of midfield.

He has impressed with his determination to succeed as an elite-level player, returning to Argentina twice for loan spells after moving to Brighton. Despite not making an appearance for the Argentina national team until U20 and only having eight full caps prior to the World Cup, he has made remarkable progress. His rise to becoming a Premier League elite performer caught the attention of Liverpool before the World Cup, as his age (24) and number of games played (160) aligned with their preference for experienced players like Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, and Virgil van Dijk, who all fall within the 23-25 age range with around 175 appearances.

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Alexis Mac Allister showcased his versatility in the 2022/23 Premier League season with Brighton, seamlessly transitioning between different midfield roles and combinations. His game intelligence, which has earned him praise from the likes of Klopp, was evident in his heatmap and passing sonar.

Liverpool is making moves to bolster their midfield options even beyond the acquisition of Mac Allister, as the team looks to fill the void left by the departures of James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With Fabinho set to turn 30 in October and Jordan Henderson turning 33 this month, it's clear that the team needs to add more depth to their midfield for the long term. In addition, Thiago, who is 32 and has struggled with injuries during his time at Anfield, only has one year left on his contract, making it even more imperative for Liverpool to plan for the future.

How Mac Allister could help Liverpool rebuild midfield

According to Sky Sports' Adam Bate, providing additional options would not impede but rather support the continuous growth of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic, and Fabio Carvalho. This would potentially allow them to obtain more regular first-team football by being granted a loan spell.

Liverpool's midfield has long been under scrutiny, considered to be the underlying reason for their recent struggles. Rebuilding it could provide a solution to their woes. The addition of Mac Allister may just be the breakthrough that Jurgen Klopp and his team have been searching for.

The 24-year-old midfielder from Argentina boasts an impressive pedigree, having already won the World Cup. His talents have been showcased in the Premier League at Brighton, proving that he possesses the diverse set of skills required for success at Liverpool.

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Alexis Mac Allister's stats for Brighton in the 2022/23 Premier League season

Jude Bellingham was long considered as the solution for a Klopp midfield that requires players to excel in defending, attacking, tackling, passing, and shooting. Mac Allister, on the other hand, possesses all of these qualities, making him a valuable asset to the team. During his interview with Sky Sports in January, Mac Allister acknowledged his positional flexibility, emphasizing his preference to be in contact with the ball as much as possible. Although he grew up playing as a 10, he realized that he could excel in other positions as well.

In today's football, versatility is a highly valued trait and being able to play in different positions can give a team and its manager more options. Personally, I feel most at ease playing as an 8, but I am also confident in my ability to perform as a 6 or a 10 if needed.

Merson: Mac Allister does simple stuff very, very well

Paul Merson of Sky Sports has described the player as a significant asset due to his calming influence on the pitch. The player's ability to maintain possession and keep the ball moving is reminiscent of Ilkay Gundogan, although he may not be as prolific in front of goal.

Mac Allister's style of play is distinct compared to Jude Bellingham, whom they had previously pursued. Bellingham had a more attacking approach, whereas Mac Allister excels in executing the basics flawlessly. Some may underestimate the value of mastering the basics, but it's a rare skill that not many players possess.

'It's a huge loss for Brighton'

According to Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui, Brighton will be losing a valuable player in terms of creativity, hard work, and being able to add things to the final third. Toloui also noted that Brighton may have become a victim of their own success in developing the player over the last couple of years, as he currently ranks 10th in the Premier League for the highest number of shots.

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With his impressive stats, Alexis Mac Allister's departure is a significant blow for Brighton as they venture into their maiden European campaign. Despite their strategic recruitment plans, including the acquisition of Mahmoud Dahoud from Borussia Dortmund, it remains to be seen if the latter can effectively fill the void left by Mac Allister's departure.

The future of Brighton's midfield is uncertain due to the buzz surrounding Moises Caicedo's potential departure this season. The young player's absence will undoubtedly be a significant blow to the team, highlighting the importance of Liverpool's swift signing of him.