Liverpool star admits underestimating team mate | OneFootball

Alexis Mac Allister’s Honest Reflection on Liverpool Teammate Alisson Becker

First Impressions and Changing Perspectives

When Alexis Mac Allister arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2023, his thoughts about Alisson Becker were surprisingly modest. Despite the Brazilian’s glittering reputation, the Argentine admitted he once “underestimated” the man who had already secured his place among the game’s elite.

“I tell him, ‘You know, when I was at Brighton, I didn’t understand what the hype was all about. I didn’t really rate you’,” Mac Allister revealed in a candid interview with ESPN. “Now, damn! I have to admit, you’re the best. Well, ok, you, Dibu [Martinez] and [Thibaut] Courtois.”

The pair had clashed before—on both club and international stages—but it wasn’t until Mac Allister shared a dressing room with Alisson at Liverpool that he fully grasped the Brazilian’s influence and consistency.

Alisson’s Enduring Impact at Liverpool

Signed from AS Roma in 2018 for a record fee at the time, Alisson has been central to Liverpool’s modern success. His catalogue of achievements includes two Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, and a Copa America winner’s medal with Brazil in 2019. For many supporters, he is already regarded as Liverpool’s finest goalkeeper of the modern era.

His calm authority, coupled with an ability to produce match-defining saves, has been the backbone of Liverpool’s stability. Even with speculation about succession planning—Giorgi Mamardashvili arrived in 2024 and Caoimhin Kelleher left for Brentford—Alisson remains at the core of Arne Slot’s plans.

Mac Allister’s Liverpool Journey

Mac Allister himself arrived from Brighton in a £35m transfer, bringing creativity and resilience to Liverpool’s midfield. His growing bond with Alisson reflects the culture at Anfield: a blend of elite competition and deep camaraderie. While Alisson’s contract runs until 2026 with an option for 2027, his presence continues to inspire confidence both on and off the pitch.

The Argentine playmaker couldn’t resist a playful nudge at his teammate either: “He hasn’t invited me to his house for a barbecue yet, so he has this season ahead to keep to his word.”

Future of Liverpool’s Goalkeeping Legacy

While Liverpool prepare for a future beyond Alisson, there remains little doubt that his legacy is already secure. For Mac Allister, discovering the true brilliance of his goalkeeper has only reinforced his decision to join a club defined by excellence and ambition.