Alexis Mac Allister snubbed Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot as the Liverpool ace named his favourite manager. The Argentina World Cup winner has become one of the Premier League’s top midfield men since arriving at Brighton from Argentinos Juniors in January 2019.
After starring on the south coast, he was snapped up by Liverpool in the summer of 2023, working with Klopp for a season before the charismatic German stepped down in May. Mac Allister is now excelling under Slot, who has guided the Reds seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
However, it is his last boss at Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi, who is Mac Allister’s favourite coach. The Italian, now in charge of Marseille in France, spent less than two years at the Amex but he made a significant impact on both the club and its players.
Talking to Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football podcast, he said of De Zerbi: “He’s a crazy guy but I love him. I think he is the best manager I’ve ever had.”
Taken aback, Lineker replied: “Really? You’ve got Klopp and Slot in there.” Asked what makes De Zerbi such a great boss, Mac Allister said: “It’s the passion he gives for football. That’s special. Then it’s his ideas, the tactical side is amazing.
“He makes yourself feel good in the team. Since the first day I met him, he was amazing with me, that’s why I said he was the best coach.”
Mac Allister left Brighton a year before De Zerbi’s sudden departure by mutual consent at the end of last season. Liverpool struck a £55million deal with the Seagulls for the midfielder, who remains fond of the south coast club.
Asked how the Brighton fans are with him when he returns to the Amex, he said with pride: “I go back twice with Liverpool and they’ve always been amazing with me. They know the love I have for them. It’s a really special place for me.”
After his surprise Brighton exit, De Zerbi joined Marseille, who are currently second in the Ligue 1 table, seven points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.