by Alexis McAllister has a daily ritual that is privileged only by a select few footballers.
From a glorious night in December 2022, he takes out his World Cup winners’ medal, covers it tightly and reminds himself that he has already fulfilled the ultimate sporting ambition.
“I watch him every day,” says the Liverpool midfielder.
“That’s what it means to me, and to the country as well. My plan is to one day create a small museum at home – a room where everything is there. I have a World Cup replica, the medal and a few other trophies – they’re all in a safe place at the moment – and my plan is to have them somewhere where I can always see them.”
In the visual design, Mac Allister is leaving room for more memories, starting with this Sunday’s Carabao Cup against Chelsea.
“I hope. That’s what I wanted when I signed for this club,” he says. I said I wanted to win trophies. This will be my first Liverpool final and the first chance to win something, so it will be something very special for me and the team.”
The emphasis on the former shows the confidence McAllister’s trophy cabinet will need to expand. The commentary is factual rather than arrogant.
When you’ve played and won a World Cup final alongside Lionel Messi, it’s natural to believe that it’s only the beginning. The same can be said of his international teammate and Chelsea rival Enzo Fernandez, of course.
“Maybe it’s the biggest game in the world, the World Cup final,” says MacAllister. The World Cup helped me realize that I want to win more trophies. It gives you a lot of confidence of course and it definitely helps when you have experience.
“I’m still young too. I’m 25. It’s the biggest game ever by a football player, so it’s something that I’m really proud of. Hopefully next week the Carabao Cup medal can be something I’ll look at as well.”
What advice can he give to his teammates – especially the younger members of Liverpool’s squad – who are preparing for their first major league game?
“Yes [being the first] which is not the most important thing,” he says. You can see players who have played in a final for the first time and do very well, as it was for me in the World Cup.
“I think every player and every person is different so I wouldn’t say much to them. They just need to enjoy their football and do the same thing they do every day. We have a lot of good players – young players as well – so we will prepare and go for it.”
Football is Mac Allister’s family business, his father Carlos, his brothers Kevin and Francis, and uncle Patricio are current or former professionals, ensuring that the advice – especially paternal – is often after each game.
“Not always positive!” he laughed. But that helps me and my brothers a lot because I like it when someone is as honest as he is. That definitely helps me.”
Will there be a dad at Wembley?
“It’s not. This time it is for my mother (Silvina). I hope it will be a special day for her too.”
It helps explain why the Argentine’s maturity puts his youth at risk when he was raised to be a world-class player.
With the departure of James Milner and Jordan Henderson, Liverpool needed like-minded people to maintain the professional standards. The due diligence of the scouts on Mac Allister was exceptional.
The most fluent English speaker among Liverpool’s South American contingent, he has taken on the role of ‘natural communicator’ on and off the pitch since his £35 million move from Brighton and Hove Albion.
While Milner has been a huge supporter of Ribena’s qualities, Mac Allister is rarely seen at the AXA training center without his bombshell and his South American friend (a herbal drink).
After being injured against Sheffield United before Christmas, many correctly predicted that he would be fit again sooner than first expected due to his determination to get back on the pitch, although that his versatility was fundamental to Jurgen Klopp’s rebuild.
“It’s crazy because from day one here I felt a connection that I haven’t felt at any other club,” he says.
“At the other clubs it was more about the time it took to settle. Here, from day one, the people here helped me settle in very well. I really feel a connection with the fans and the club and I really like it here. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I hope to spend many years here.”
Given that Sunday’s opponent was in the market for almost every other midfielder on Liverpool’s radar last summer, could he also be done at Stamford Bridge?
“Liverpool was the only chance,” says MacAllister.
Did he try to convince former Brighton team-mate Moises Caicedo to follow him before turning down Anfield for London?
“It’s a personal decision and I would never be in the middle. That’s what he chose and that’s absolutely right,” he said. Maybe he hurt me a little with what happened in the summer! (smiling), but it’s totally fine.
“It’s a personal decision. He’s a great player, a really good guy and I wish him all the best every day of his life – but not on Sunday.”
