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There is a very good reason Liverpool are heading into the season as favourites to retain their Premier League crown.

The Reds won the league at a canter last term and begin their campaign at home against Bournemouth on Friday night.

They do so having added to their squad over the summer break, a squad which was already packed with so much talent.

Since his arrival in 2023, Alexis Mac Allister has developed into one of the absolutely key men within the Liverpool squad.

Mac Allister was nominated for the Ballon d’Or recently, having gone up several levels since joining Liverpool.

And while some may have been surprised at just how good the Argentine has been with the Reds, Mac Allister himself has admitted to being shocked by the level of one of his teammates following his transfer.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Although it was some step up for Mac Allister from Brighton to Liverpool two years ago, he could not have handled it more smoothly.

In fairness, the then 24-year-old was already a World Cup winner with Argentina and was well on his way to becoming one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

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But, according to Mac Allister, he did not believe the hype surrounding Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

We joke with him that he is perfect,” says Mac Allister while joking about Darwin Nunez’s barbecuing skills.

It’s annoying!

“I tell him, “You know, when I was at Brighton, I didn’t understand what the hype was all about.

OK, you, Dibu and Courtois!””

As well as hailing the standard set by Alisson, Mac Allister dedicates a segment of his article to Mohamed Salah.

“When I first arrived, I tried to compete with him.

Hahahah. 

“Mo sets the tone for everyone at Liverpool.

He’s a monster.”

Given Mac Allister calls a certain Lionel Messi a close teammate with Argentina, this is some level of praise.