Alexis Mac Allister's wholesome chat with his brother, Kevin, before Liverpool v Union SG | OneFootball

Highlights

Play Video

Liverpool will be looking to make it two from two in their 2023/24 Europa League campaign as they welcome Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise to Anfield on Thursday night. After falling in the 14th minute of their Europe curtain-raiser against LASK, Jurgen Klopp’s high-flyers secured a trio of second-half goals in order to top Group E.

Darwin Núñez’s penalty inspired the comeback just 11 minutes after the restart as Colombian forward Luis Diaz joined the goalscoring party just seven minutes later as Liverpool gained the lead for the first time. Mohamed Salah, who began the game warming the substitutes bench, was introduced in the 74th minute, though it took him just 14 minutes to produce the inevitable as the Merseyside-based side closed the scoring at 3-1.

In comparison to 2022/23, the Premier League behemoths are looking like an entirely different entity and even boasted an eight-game unbeaten streak before Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur grabbed a winner in the dying embers of their hotly contested affair as Joel Matip inadvertently poked home a Pedro Porro cross.

A well-fought contest between the topflight duo ended 2-1 in favour of the home outfit but fans from all corners of the globe – not just of an Anfield persuasion – were dumbfounded by the ineptitude of the Stockley Park personnel in charge as Diaz’s perfectly-legal goal was chalked off after miscommunication.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) were quick with their attempt to rectify their damaging mistake by issuing a statement but Liverpool supporters are understandably aggrieved and are suggesting that an apology is not good enough. Instead, the players themselves will look to put their London Stadium sorrows behind them as prepare for their second Europa League fixture of the campaign.

Alexis Mac Allister’s wholesome exchange with his brother Kevin

This game will mark an important part in history as it is the first-ever competitive meeting between the duo but more importantly for two Mac Allister brothers who will be going toe-to-toe for 90 minutes. Both born in Argentina, the pair have enjoyed different career paths, but both made respective transfers to their current employers across the summer months and just like fate, they will meet on the European stage this coming Thursday.

As they both prepare for one of the biggest games of their lives, Alexis and his brother, who plays as a central defender for Liverpool's upcoming European opponents, sat down to enjoy a pre-match call, with Alexis even wishing that his brother ‘suffers’. It was posted on Liverpool’s official X account and to no surprise, it has gone viral.

Clips of Liverpool’s and Union Saint-Gilloise’s names being pulled during the Europa League draw was then shown before Alexis asked his brother about his reaction.

Alexis has enjoyed a flourishing start to life at Anfield, despite plundering just the one assist in his eight opening outings. It is the intangible aspects of his game that Liverpool fans have been appreciative of, however, as the lovable Argentinian has quickly become a fan favourite. On the other side of the brotherhood, Kevin, a 25-year-old centre-back, has played just 12 matches at his new club, amassing the fourth-highest number of minutes out of his teammates so far this term. The upcoming match-up between the two will be an interesting watch, that’s for sure.

Alexis and Kevin share the same love for Liverpool

Despite only Alexis playing for the Reds, it is clear that his brother shares the same amount of love to a team that is hailed in such high regard in their eyes. When quizzed by his brother, who became one of the club’s marquee summer signings, what he thinks about the club and what he told the World Cup winner before he rubbed-stamped his £35m move from Brighton, Kevin could only usher supportive comments towards the move and how special a club Liverpool is to his family.

The now Liverpool playmaker then went on to confess his love to England's top division, most notably his employers. He admitted the pride to finally lace up as part of the Anfield-based outfit and referenced how proud his parents are of his latest venture, too, claiming they urged him to put pen to paper as the opportunity arose.

All the endearing comments and brotherly love will be put aside however, when the two lock horns at Anfield on Thursday evening, at least for 90 minutes. The Reds are looking to take control of their group, though the visiting side will be no pushovers considering they drew with French side Toulouse in match week one.

Watch: Full video of the Mac Allister brothers sitting down in wholesome, pre-match exchange