Liverpool FC announced today, Thursday, its contract with World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis McAllister from Brighton.
McAllister, 24, joins the Merseyside club as Jurgen Klopp’s first signing ahead of an anticipated busy transfer window as the club look to improve on their fifth-place finish in the 2022-23 season.
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The Argentine midfielder was a key figure in the Brighton squad, contributing 12 goals and making 3 assists in a season that saw the club qualify for the Europa League for the first time in its history.
ESPN reported on Monday that Liverpool want to complete a deal for the 24-year-old before he joins their national team ahead of the June 15 friendly against Australia in China.
McAllister also shone in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, starting in all but one of Argentina’s matches, as they won the tournament for the first time since 1986. The midfielder scored in his team’s 2-0 group stage victory over Poland.
McAllister “It feels great. It’s a dream come true, it’s amazing to be here and I can’t wait to get started” Tell the club website.
“I wanted to be in [from] First day of pre-season, so it’s good to have everything done. I’m looking forward to meeting my team mates.
“It’s been a great year for me – the World Cup, what we achieved with Brighton – but now it’s time to think about Liverpool and try to be a better player and a better human every day.”
Sources told ESPN in April that Liverpool would end their long-running pursuit of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham and instead put money into rebuilding the squad after missing out on the Champions League for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
The club have already announced the departures of midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita, along with Roberto Firmino, who is leaving Anfield after eight seasons at the club.
McAllister’s signing is the first act under new sporting director Jörg Schmadtke, who joined the club having previously worked with Wolfsburg, Cologne and Hanover.
Sources told ESPN that Liverpool also retain interest in Wolverhampton midfielder Matthews Nunes, Khevren Thuram of Nice, Khevren Thuram of Borussia Mönchengladbach Manu Kone.