Alexis Mac Allister’s rise to prominence – from Boca Juniors to one of the best midfielders in world football – has been a sight to behold, and he once named the best centre-back in the world. And, surprisingly, his teammate Virgil van Dijk was snubbed.
A loveable figure at Anfield, one of the greatest stadiums in Premier League history, the engine room patroller’s influence is uncanny. Signed by Jurgen Klopp but thriving under Arne Slot, the 26-year-old is set to be critical to the Reds’ future exploits.
In terms of centre-halves, Mac Allister has faced plenty in the elite category: Ruben Dias of Manchester City and Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid. Van Dijk, in fact, is his club teammate – but none of the aforementioned trio, in his eyes, are the best in the world.
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Mac Allister Names ‘Best Centre-Back In the World’
'Sometimes you feel like he’s too much because he makes everything so easy'
Mac Allister, after helping the aforementioned Slot become the fifth manager in Premier League history to win the title in their first season, has been on international duty with Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina since the domestic campaign came to an end.
The 2022 World Cup winners beat Chile 1-0 on June 6 before a 1-1 draw with Colombia five days later as they look to book themselves a spot in next summer’s iteration of the international showpiece and defend their status as champions.
And after his nation’s stalemate with their South American rivals, on which player (if it was up to him) he would bring to the Reds over the summer transfer period, Mac Allister was quick to respond: “Oh, Cuti [Cristian Romero]. He’s a player I love.”
Speaking to TNT Sports, the Argentine midfielder’s reasoning went beyond their natural friendship, having played alongside one another 28 times on the international stage, but he insisted that Romero, 27, makes the art of defending look simple.
“The way he speaks and plays, sometimes you feel like he’s too much because he makes everything so easy. He gives me confidence. For me, he’s the been the best centre-back in the world for several years.”
After Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final, Alejandro Garnacho also hailed the bruising defender as the ‘best in the world’ as the Red Devils failed to break down his tough resolve, which the capital club have boasted since 2022.
Currently on the books of Spurs, Romero – joining from Serie A outfit Atalanta in the process – signed a five-year contract in the summer of 2022. He’s been a reliable performer and, as such, Atletico Madrid are interested in securing his services.
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As alluded to, the two have teamed up together on 28 occasions. In terms of how many times they’ve locked horns six times. Incredibly, Mac Allister has won two of those matches – Brighton’s 1-0 win over Spurs in 2021/22 and Liverpool’s 4-2 win over the north Londoners in their title-winning campaign.