Mac Allister reveals former Liverpool winger inspiration | OneFootball

Inspiration from Argentina to Anfield

Alexis Mac Allister has quickly become an integral figure at Liverpool, but his rise to the Premier League owes much to the influence of a fellow Argentinian: Maxi Rodriguez.

The World Cup-winning midfielder arrived on Merseyside in the summer of 2023 from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m, a fee that has since been viewed as excellent value. Making 35 appearances in his debut season under Arne Slot, Mac Allister helped Liverpool lift the Premier League title and has since established himself as one of the most popular players in the squad.

Speaking recently, the 25-year-old reflected on his early years in Argentina, his passion for the English game, and the importance of role models like Rodriguez in shaping his career path.

Premier League inspiration through Argentinian stars

Growing up in Santa Rosa, Mac Allister recalls watching the Premier League in the early mornings, following the exploits of compatriots who had forged careers in England. Rodriguez, who represented Liverpool between 2010 and 2012, was one of those players.

“When I was younger, there weren’t many Argentinians in the Premier League,” Mac Allister explained. “I used to wake up very early in the mornings to watch players like Carlos Tevez and Maxi Rodriguez. I was a big fan of the Premier League, so I hope the next generations are doing the same with us, not just with me but with Argentinian players in general.”

His connection to football was inevitable. With a father who played professionally and brothers Francis Manuel and Kevin also pursuing careers in the game, Mac Allister grew up immersed in the sport. Yet, as he highlights, it was never imposed upon him; rather, football was a choice born of passion and family tradition.

Boca Juniors roots meet Liverpool passion

Before his Premier League breakthrough, Mac Allister’s formative experiences came at Boca Juniors. Having joined Brighton in 2019, he was immediately loaned back to the Buenos Aires club, where he developed amid the intense atmosphere of La Bombonera.

It is that same intensity he now associates with Anfield. “I feel the level of passion is the common thing, especially when it comes to clubs,” he said. “I come from a big club in Argentina, Boca Juniors, and I always compare their fans with Liverpool fans, but I would say that the passion is the only similarity because in terms of the culture and the country, it’s quite different.”

That sense of belonging has accelerated his adaptation to life in England, with Liverpool supporters embracing both his technical quality and his determination in midfield.

Looking ahead with Argentina and Liverpool

While his club form has been outstanding, Mac Allister’s international ambitions remain firmly in view. Argentina will defend their World Cup title in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer, following their triumph in Qatar in 2022.

Mac Allister was a pivotal figure in that tournament, stepping into the starting XI after Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia and playing a crucial role as Lionel Scaloni’s side went on to lift the trophy.

“To play in a World Cup is really special,” he noted. “I had the opportunity to play in one and we won it, which is not easy at all. Qatar was in the middle of a season so this one is going to be different. But I don’t think about the future. I know some players worry about injuries before a World Cup, but I always say that you have to go 100 per cent every single game.”

For Liverpool, that mindset offers assurance. A player who grew up admiring Rodriguez now carries the hopes of both club and country, bridging cultures while embodying the passion that links Boca Juniors and Anfield.