Jurgen Klopp reveals why he “seriously wanted” Alexis Mac Allister more than ever
Jurgen Klopp reveals his “desperate want” for this. Mac Allister Alexis
Having “desperately wanted” to sign Alexis Mac Allister last summer, Jurgen Klopp has disclosed that he had high expectations for the midfield player.
After being used as a lone holding midfielder, the Argentine made a somewhat sluggish debut at Anfield after joining from Brighton in June for a fee of £35 million.
But Mac Allister has flourished in a more senior role ever since Wataru Endo emerged as the best choice in that post.
And on Sunday at Anfield, he delivered yet another brilliant performance to help his new team defeat his former one 2-1.
Asked if Mac Allister has been better than he even hoped, Klopp replied: “I had no limits for him, I didn’t want to limit him, I just knew that was a player I desperately wanted. Thank God we got him.
“Everything he learned at Brighton was super useful, but it’s a new environment and a slightly different role, he adapted to that.
“You never know – not from a football point of view, but character – because there was a lot of discussion of whether he can play the six and it sounds like it was five years ago but it was only a few months ago.
“I got asked the question quite frequently and these things always help, if you play outside your comfort zone. We all know the eight is his best position, he can play the six anyway.
“I’m absolutely happy and we had talks before we signed him, and after them I was super positive that he’s a fantastic boy.
“But you see that only when he’s here, he’s in the middle of the group, he’s the best English speaker of our Spanish faction. That’s great as well.
“They sit together on the table, if you would make a picture of that and Ali on top, then you go to the Copa America it would be funny [to see] how they treat each other then.
“Just a great player, fantastic footballer, super important to us.”
Mac Allister laid on Liverpool’s winner against Brighton with an exquisite through-ball for Mohamed Salah, which has since been revealed the Egyptian demanded.
On the possibility of a partnership emerging, Klopp added: “Somebody told me Mo ordered an assist, but Mo is doing that on Monday with everybody in the squad, telling them if you don’t know where to pass the ball give it to me!
“There’s no specific partnership, I think the most assists for Mo is probably Darwin, but we need them all.”
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Ronaldo criticizes top 5 Europe League- “Why I snubbed other opportunities in Europe, chose Al-Nassr”
Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, claims his time in Europe is over, yet he had “many opportunities” to sign with elite teams in Europe and abroad.
To “develop the football and all the amazing parts” of the nation, he saw Al-Nassr as a challenge, nevertheless.
The Portugal captain left Manchester United on mutual consent on Friday, becoming a free agent after giving a contentious interview in which he attacked the team.
According to reports, Ronaldo will get the largest football pay in history, valued at an estimated 200 million euros ($211 million), in a contract that extends until 2025.
“My work in Europe is done, I played at the best clubs in the world… and I won everything. I’m happy, proud to join Al Nassr” said Ronaldo who has won a plethora of titles in Europe including a record 5 UEFA Champions League titles, and is its all-time leading goal-scorer with 140 goals.
He added, “I had many offers in Europe, many in Brazil, Australia, the US, even in Portugal.”
“I gave my word to this club; only to Al Nassr.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was greeted with applause and shouts of his trademark ‘Siu’ celebration by fans and players at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium as he spoke during his unveiling ceremony.
He described himself as a “unique player” and insisted his career was not over as he arrived at his new club, Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo told reporters at his first media conference, “So far, I’m feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life in football. As I mentioned before, my work in Europe is done. And for me, now is a new challenge in Asia.
“I’m glad that Al Nassr gave me this wonderful opportunity to show and develop not only football but also the young generation, the women’s generation as well , and young boys. For me, it’s a challenge but at the same time I feel very proud.”
Speaking about his contract with the nine-time Saudi Pro League champions, Ronaldo said: “This contract is unique but I’m a unique player, so for me it’s normal.
“It’s not the end of my career in Saudi Arabia. Many people speak… but they know nothing about football.”
“I know the league is very competitive, I saw many games. I hope to play after [Wednesday] if the coach thinks there’s a chance. I’m ready to keep playing football.”
“I don’t care about people saying things about this choice. I took my decision, I am happy”.
Al Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia said signing Ronaldo was “fantastic” for Saudi Arabia.
The Frenchman said, “In my life, I’ve seen that great players like Cristiano are the simplest to manage, because there’s nothing I can teach him,”
“My goal, my objective for Cristiano is to make him happy. I want him to enjoy playing with Al Nassr and winning with Al Nassr.”
Following the media conference, he posed in his new Al Nassr kit on the club’s pitch in front of thousands of fans.
The Portuguese forward has long been one of the top-paid players in football, earning a reported salary of 31 million euros ($33m) at Juventus before taking a pay cut to rejoin United.
Ronaldo has won five Champions League titles, league titles in Italy with Juventus, in Spain with Real Madrid and in England with United.
He is also the top scorer in the Champions League and with the Portuguese national team, with whom he won Euro 2016.
In Qatar, he became the first man to score at five World Cups with his penalty in the group-stage win over Ghana.