Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister has opened up on how close he came to abandoning English football entirely, a choice that could have dramatically transformed his career path.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fairytale upward trajectory over the past few season – claiming the Premier League title with Liverpool and guiding Argentina to Copa America and World Cup glory – yet he initially found the going tough following his arrival in England.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Mac Allister joined Brighton from Argentinos Juniors in January 2019 but was immediately loaned back to the club before spending the subsequent campaign at Boca Juniors.

Alexis Mac Allister makes honest admission as Liverpool star confesses 'I had my bags packed'	'Bags were packed' - Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister makes honest confession	Hugo Ekitike does something only Darwin Nunez had done before on Liverpool debut

Following impressive displays during these stints in his native country, Brighton brought Mac Allister back in January 2020, with his debut coming against Wolves in March 2020.

However, that proved to be the Seagulls' last match before football ground to a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving the playmaker isolated away from his friends and family in an entirely new setting.

The cultural upheaval of exchanging Argentina for England and struggling for minutes with Brighton combined with the impact of the continuing pandemic, left Mac Allister feeling very alone.

He confessed to packing his suitcase to pursue a move elsewhere, which might have stopped him from becoming a champion for Liverpool and Argentina.

"As footballers, we always say that you become a man very early.

But in other ways, you're still a boy," Mac Allister penned for Players' Tribune, looking back on his period at Brighton in 2020.

I would not be a Premier League champion.

My mom saved me.."

Mac Allister featured 35 times as Liverpool secured the Premier League crown by 10 points last season.

Now I'm a Premier League champion.