Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has told Liverpool of one of the biggest Alexis Mac Allister qualities that was unearthed at the World Cup.
The 16-time international is on the verge of signing for Liverpool becoming their first arrival of the summer but it was in Qatar where he was thrust into the conversation.
The 24-year-old has become increasingly prominent at Brighton & Hove Albion as they've gradually risen to European football qualification under Roberto De Zerbi this season. In December, the midfielder became immortalised in his homeland as they won were crowned 'Campeon Del Mundo' for the first time since 1996.
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After lifting the only piece of silverware that has escaped him, Lionel Messi was lauded for leading Lionel Scaloni's side to the illustrious international competition. But throughout the action-packed tournament, the midfielder quickly asserted himself as a key component of the trophy-winning side which the Reds are set to score as one of their options in the engine room.
During the World Cup, Mac Allister opened his account for La Albiceleste as he curled low into the bottom corner against Poland during the Group Stage. As the Barcelona icon was forced to weather four-man markers, it allowed the opportunity for the rest of the squad to express their importance.
Up he stepped. Speaking as part of BBC's Lionel Messi: Destiny documentary, the Argentine head coach said: "He showed us something that we didn't know about him, he doesn't feel pressure. It's like he's playing in his back garden."
Liverpool players have jetted around the world for the off-season while some members of the squad continue training ahead of their respective countries international matches.
The ECHO understands that the Reds want to have the deal for Mac Allister completed before he returns to his homeland for their upcoming clashes with Australia and Indonesia.
Speaking in the documentary, the 24-year-old described his mentality going into the historic World Cup
"I arrived with a lot of confidence," he said. "To play with my national team is extremely important. My Dad was so close to playing the 1994 World Cup, when we didn't know if I would make the squad, he told me to do everything to make myself available because playing in the World Cup is unique.
"It all happened so fast, I wasn't expecting it. For me, it's a huge opportunity to play at a World Cup," he continued. After their defeat in the group opener against Saudi Arabia, their credentials were written off but they fought back to top the standings after beating Poland in the final match.
Messi's spot-kick was saved by Wojciech Szczęsny but after the break, Mac Allister stepped up to break the deadlock before Julian Alvarez added a second with 20 minutes remaining.
MacAllister added: "It was a very special day, scoring my first goal with my family watching. There were very special moments during the World Cup but that was one of the most important. It's mad to think I'm a World Cup champion that I won the World Cup alongside (Lionel) Messi."
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