From Argentina To Anfield – Alexis Mac Allister: The Story So Far | OneFootball

As a relatively new-look Liverpool prepare to begin their pre-season schedule ahead of what we all hope will be a 2023/24 campaign of redemption for the Reds, Alexis Mac Allister will be taking the next step on what has already proven to be a fascinating rise to stardom.

Born on Christmas Eve in Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina, Mac Allister was always likely to end up a footballer having come from bona fine beautiful game stock as his father Carlos and Uncle Patricio had both made it professionally. Carlos plied his trade as a left-back for three of the biggest Argentinian clubs Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors and Racing Club whilst Patrcio was a forward for clubs in Argentina, Mexico and Japan.

Like Alexis, brothers Kevin and Francis – names living up to the Irish/Scottish heritage of the surname – are also making names for themselves in the game, but it is the new Anfield man who is making the biggest impact on a global stage from what is a richly talented crop of Mac Allisters.

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Having started his footballing journey at Club Social Parque in Buenos Aires, the same place it all began for the likes of Carlos Tevez, Esteban Cambiasso and Juan Roman Riquelme, Alexis joined Argentinos Juniors’ youth setup in 2011 aged 12, following in the footsteps of a certain Diego Maradona and has since enjoyed a rapid, if a little turbulent rise to stardom.

After impressive development through the youth ranks, Mac Allister was handed a senior debut aged just 17 in October 2016 as a second-half substitute when he replaced Iván Colman in a 0–0 Primera B Nacional draw against Central Córdoba.

Soon after came a call-up from Claudio Úbeda for the Argentina Under-20s, although his youth international career never truly reached the heights he might’ve hoped or expected.

After three goals in 23 outings during his first senior campaign, helping Argentinos Juniors to promotion back to the Argentine top flight, Alexis had already started to prove he was something special.

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On 25 November 2017 came a moment Carlos will likely never forget as Alexis and his two brothers all played together for the first time. Despite suffering defeat at the hands of San Lorenzo, for a father to watch all three of his sons on the pitch must’ve been some moment.

Alexis netted his first goal in the Primera División during a 2–0 victory over Boca Juniors – a moment in its own right for a newly promoted side.

Finishing the 17/18 league season with two goals and six assists, the attacking midfielder was catching the eye midway through the following campaign, the Premier League’s elite South American talent spotters Brighton came calling.

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Signed on a four-and-a-half-year contract by the Seaside club who had already been making waves in the English top flight with their ability to spot a player and complete shrewd transfer business, as part of the deal, Mac Allister was loaned back to Argentinos Juniors for the remainder of the season before joining Boca Juniors on loan for the next term.

Having made his international bow in June 2019, the smiling ace scored once and provided one assist in his 13 outings at Boca – winning the title in the process – before Brighton recalled their new boy in January 2020.

A Premier League debut came in as a late sub during a 0-0 draw with Wolves at Molineux before COVID-19 brought football to an abrupt halt. The diminutive Argentine eventually made nine appearances when the season could be completed, however, his real breakthrough was still to come.

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A late equaliser against Crystal Palace showed Brighton fans his true ability, albeit the 2020/21 campaign remained a stop-start process for Mac Allister.

It wasn’t until another late goal, this time the winner against Burnley on the opening day of 21/22 that the Argentinian star truly arrived. Going on to score five times and register two assists in 33 league outings, the Swiss army knife of a midfielder was proving his worth to Graham Potter’s side and starting to stand out.

Recalled to the Argentina national team’s senior squad in January 2022 after two-and-a-half-year hiatus since his first two caps – albeit he had participated in the Olympic squad previously – Mac Allister was stopped in his tracks once again, this time by a positive COVID result.

Undeterred by the setback, five goals in the opening 16 matches of the Premier League season from a deeper-lying position earned him a call-up to Lionel Scaloni’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.

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Sidelined by Di Maria, Messi & Co. Mac Allister’s first international goal opened the scoring in a 2–0 win over Poland that saw Argentina through to the round of 16 as Group C champions.

Playing a leading role as the South American nation advanced beyond Australia, Netherlands and Croatia to set up a showpiece final with France,  the boy from Santa Rosa started the clash before being replaced in the second half and watching on as his beloved nation won 4-2 on penalties to become Champions of the World.

Returning to a heroes welcome and with stock higher than ever, Mac Allister finished the 22/23 season with 12 goals and three assists, having also been the architect of Liverpool’s downfall twice in quick succession, it was clear to see this was a player ready to make the next step.

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Almost as soon as the season had ended the speculation began and after a whirlwind week, on June 8, 2023, Mac Allister signed with Liverpool on a five-year deal until 2028 for areported £35million fee. With the number 10 shirt of Liverpool vacant, ‘El Diez’ was crowned.

Nicknamed ‘Gary’ by Jurgen Klopp after ex-Anfield favourite Gary McAllister, the versatile Argentinian has impressed in the early stages of training. Now all that awaits is to see the latest South American in Red strutting his stuff in the flesh – hopefully with more longevity and success than those that have gone before!