Liverpool are ready to shelve their interest in Mason Mount after sealing the capture of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
The World Cup -winning midfielder, 24, became the Reds' first summer signing on Thursday after finalising a deal which will net the Seagulls an initial £45million. It's highly unlikely, however, that Mac Allister will be the only midfielder that Jurgen Klopp acquires ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Liverpool's engine room was heavily criticised last season and is in need of a refresh. The Reds headed into the summer break with the intention of signing at least two midfielders, with Mac Allister and Mount at the top of Klopp's wishlist.
Initially, Liverpool's chances of landing Mount appeared to be high, too. But with the Chelsea star now leaning towards joining Manchester United, Liverpool are set to withdraw from the race for the Blues academy graduate after bagging Mac Allister, according to The Guardian.
The same report does outline, though, that Liverpool could still firm up interest in Borussia Monchengladbach's Manu Kone and OGC Nice maestro Khephren Thuram in the coming weeks to complete their new look midfield.
Mac Allister was heavily tipped to leave Brighton after starring for Argentina at the World Cup and quickly emerged as a priority target for Liverpool, who had their sights set on the playmaker well before the tournament kicked off back in November.
Klopp was quick to stress that Mac Allister's versatility means he is capable of filling any role in the Reds' engine room; a comment which could hint at the reasoning behind Liverpool's change of tact when it comes to Mount.
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"We are adding a very talented, very smart, very technically skilled boy to our squad and this is super news, really it is," Klopp told Liverpool's website after the deal for Mac Allister was wrapped up on Thursday.
"I do not think the football world needs me to say too much about Alexis' qualities because they are already pretty well known but it is clear that he is someone who can play in a number of positions in the midfield and is an all-rounder, I would say. He is calm and composed and someone with proper game intelligence."
Mac Allister doubled down on Klopp's stance and insisted he was ready to play wherever he is needed. He said: "I've played almost in every position! And I think the managers who worked with me know that I can do it everywhere if they need me.
"As a player, I'm a player who tries to play as simple as possible, I try to help my teammates defensively or attacking. That's the most important thing and I'm a team player and I will try to bring that to this club."
