Jurgen Klopp's face said it all as he greeted Lionel Messi in Dallas, short after the Argentina forward made more World Cup history by netting twice against Austria
21:25, 22 Jun 2026
Jurgen Klopp and Lionel Messi shake hands after the World Cup game between Argentina and Austria in Dallas.
Jurgen Klopp and Lionel Messi shake hands after the World Cup game between Argentina and Austria in Dallas.(Image: Maja Hitij - FIFA via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp embraced Lionel Messi with a grin after watching the former Barcelona superstar become the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer against Austria earlier.
The Liverpool legend, working as a pundit for German television, was in the stadium in Dallas, Texas, as Messi netted a brace. He also missed a penalty, but moved ahead of Miroslav Klose and onto 18 goals in the tournament.
Argentina has qualified for the knockout phase with a game to spare, with Alexis Mac Allister keeping things ticking in the middle of the pitch here, with Messi once again the star of the show.
"I enjoy being with Leo a lot, there won't be another one like him," Mac Allister told reporters ahead of the game.
"It's very different to see it next to him, the things he does are not normal. From my side, I simply take advantage of it, he is very important for us to win, and from another side, the admiration.
"It's very difficult to learn from what he does, because you have it in your head but you can never do it that way. What I learn from him are the values and the humility he has being who he is."
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Messi scored a hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria. And Mac Allister helped play his part in that win too.
"The first one I was left a bit between the lines, I saw that Leo was behind me," the Liverpool man explained.
"There was talk about the way I let the ball pass but anyone who played football realizes that Rodrigo's (De Paul) pass has the strength it has and I know very well that it is not for me.
"The third was a nice play, which started on the right, ended on the left with a pass back to Leo, and then the magic of placing it next to the post, it's another one of the incredible things Leo does."
Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kit
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£85
LFC Shop
Buy Now on LFC Shop
Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.
Article continues below
Mac Allister was very efficient in possession against Austria, keeping things ticking in the center of the field alongside Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez and Inter Miami's Rodrigo de Paul. He completed 62 of his 65 attempted passes (95 per cent).
While he didn't do anything particularly spectacular, Argentina managed the game well and ran out relatively comfortable 2-0 winners, with the second goal — a scruffier effort from Messi — coming deep into second-half stoppage time.
Liverpool.com says: Mac Allister really struggled last season but he could be much different with a reset this summer. As for Messi, at 38, he remains ridiculous. You wouldn't put it past Argentina to win the World Cup again.