Alexis Mac Allister has a strong case to be signing of the summer as his technical brilliance and tenacity have seen him grow in stature at Liverpool, writes LEWIS STEELE

Brighton owner Tony Bloom would have laughed all the way to the bank when he saw a check for ‘just a hundred and fifteen million pounds’ arrive last summer for Moises Caicedo, the midfielder now at Chelsea who has had an indifferent first season. it friendly.

However, fellow Albion star Alexis Mac Allister for £35 million in the same window looks like a window in which Brighton have been ripped off. Given that relatively small price, the Argentine makes a strong case for signing in the Premier League this summer.

He had an inconsistent start to life on Merseyside. Due to the unplanned departures of captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Mac Allister was often forced to play as a deep-lying number 6 midfielder. It took him about a month to get used to it, but he soon started to excel.

In that role, which saw him play virtually every game in the opening months of the season as Wataru Endo came up to speed, Mac Allister showed the technical brilliance many associate with diminutive Argentinians like him, but also a ruthless tenacity off the ball that proves his Scottish and Irish roots.

The lad known around Kirkby as ‘Macca’ is said to be an influential member of the dressing room, with an infectious smile. His great friend is Darwin Nunez, and the pair seem to have a growing, telepathic bond both on and off the field.

Mac Allister has had an inconsistent start for Liverpool, but the midfielder is starting to shine

The Argentinian looks like a bargain at £35 million compared to ex-Brighton teammate Moises Caicedo

“My relationship with Darwin is obviously very good,” he said this week. “Since the first time we met, you could see the connection between us off the field. On the field we try to be connected, if I play as number 8, that connection must of course be important.

‘I have been playing football for a long time, even though I am still young. The experience helps, for me it is important to think on the field and see where your teammates are. Once you have the ball, you have to make the decision. I don’t know if I look calm, but my brain is at 200 percent!’

During training, the pair always enjoy a cup of mate together and like to joke about each other. South Americans Alisson and Luis Diaz are also part of the clique, and the four players from different countries have a healthy rivalry over which nation is better.

Nunez has provisional bragging rights in that regard, having scored for Uruguay against Brazil and Argentina last year.

He currently has many bragging rights after his 99th-minute winner at Nottingham Forest and when he brought up Jurgen Klopp’s 1,000th goal at the Prague club on Thursday evening. But Nunez has Mac Allister to thank for that, with two sumptuous assists in the last two games.

Darwin Nunez scored the thousandth goal of Jürgen Klopp’s reign after an assist from Mac Allister

While others were making headlines, whether it was Nunez or the ‘Kindergarten Kop’, Mac Allister was an ever-present buzzer. He may not be the man to steer Liverpool straight to victory, but he is an increasingly important presence.

His influence on matches has grown significantly since Klopp gave him the license to enjoy the number 8 role, with Japan captain Endo barely putting a foot wrong in the heart of midfield. The pair understands well how to control a game.

Fellow summer midfield signing Dominik Szoboszlai provided plenty of excitement in early season displays, but Mac Allister has left the Hungarian behind in the transfer talk of the season, not just at Liverpool, but across the division.

The Argentinian has a museum in the making at his home. He said this week that he is “enjoying every day” of his World Cup and Carabao Cup medals. If he keeps up these great performances, Mac Allister will have to make room for more medals.