Your morning Liverpool digest for Wednesday, May 24.
Liverpool get major Alexis Mac Allister transfer boost after honest Roberto De Zerbi admission
Liverpool's prospects of landing Brighton and Hove Albion phenomenon Alexis Mac Allister have been handed a significant boost with manager Roberto De Zerbi insisting he would bear no grudge if the midfielder decided to leave the Amex this summer.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been one of the standout performers on the South Coast this campaign and has helped the Seagulls secure a place in next season's Europa Conference League, with De Zerbi's side having secured a top-seven finish with two games of the Premier League season remaining.
Such form has led to Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City showing firm interest in the 2022 World Cup winner, with the Reds citing the Argentine as a primary target ahead of an extensive midfield overhaul this summer.
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After making the decision to abandon their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham due to the eye-watering finances any deal would require, Anfield officials have instead prioritised the arrival of at least two midfielders this summer.
Chelsea's Mason Mount and Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch are two players who are currently under consideration on Merseyside, while Mac Allister is believed to be a top target.
And Liverpool's chances of prising the midfielder away from the South Coast this summer appear to have been handed a major boost with De Zerbi admitting Mac Allister and team-mate Moises Caicedo deserve to be playing at "another level" after their performances in the Premier League this season.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Wednesday's game against Manchester City, the Italian provided an authentic response when asked about the Seagulls' prospect of losing two of their star performers during the off-season.
"They can have the possibility to change [clubs] because they deserve to play in another level," said De Zerbi. "I don't know what Tony [Bloom, Brighton owner] can decide. But now we can offer them the possibility to play in Europe because our level is bigger now. We can offer them one possibility more."
Read the full story, here.
Liverpool can beat Man United and Man City to Alexis Mac Allister thanks to 'secret' weapon
A major talent performing in the Premier League at a south coast club. Liverpool long-time admirers. Then Manchester City attempting to hijack any potential deal.
If Reds supporters have a sense of deja vu regards Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, it's not without foundation.
After all, Liverpool have been in this position before. And their not-so-secret weapon back then means they stand a more than fighting chance of persuading the Argentina World Cup winner to make Anfield his next destination.
It was six years ago the Reds identified Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk as their main target as they looked to address the defensive issues that remained apparent despite a top-four finish the previous campaign.
While a number of other clubs were sniffing around the Holland international, then-champions Chelsea and moneybags Manchester City were the main challengers to Liverpool for his signature, each arguably offering a chance of more immediate success than the Reds. Certainly, the trends at the time pointed to such.
Chelsea could also boast Antonio Conte as manager. And Pep Guardiola had completed a season to get his feet under the table at the Etihad and come to terms with English football.
Neither, though, were Jurgen Klopp. And the ability of the Liverpool manager to sell a vision of the possible future at Anfield was what ultimately persuaded Van Dijk to make the move, even if the Reds eventually had to wait several months before it was concluded in January 2018.
Read the full story, here.
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