Alexis Mac Allister has lifted the lid on his connection with Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez as he reflected on a “crazy” few years in his career.
Mac Allister has struck up a close bond with his fellow South American since arriving at Anfield last summer, with their link-up on the pitch evident when he assisted Nunez’s dramatic late decider in the 1-0 Premier League win at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
The Argentina World Cup winner, who also set up a goal for Nunez against West Ham United earlier in the campaign, has prospered since being pushed into a more advanced midfield position in recent weeks.
And Mac Allister, speaking on Wednesday in Czechia ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League round of 16 first leg against Sparta Prague, said: “My relationship with Darwin is very good. Of course, since the first time we met you could see the connection between us off the pitch. On the pitch of course we try to be connected.
“When I play as an eight that connection has to be important, and he is an amazing guy. He is doing very well and works very hard and that’s why I’m very happy for him. Sometimes I hear people saying that I help him a lot but that’s not true. His level is because he trains very well, he works very hard and that’s why he is scoring goals and that’s why he is important for this team.”
Asked how he managed to stay calm when assisting Nunez during such a frantic finish last weekend, Mac Allister said: “I don’t know, I just play football. That’s what I like.
“I have played football for a long time even though I’m still young. The experience helps definitely and for me it’s important to think on the pitch. You have to see where your team-mates are and once you have the ball you have to try and make the best decision you can. That’s what I try. I don’t know if I look calm or not, but I can tell you my brain is at 200%!”
Mac Allister, who spent more than three years at Brighton before moving to Liverpool for £35million last June, added: “The last couple of years have been crazy for me and tough at the same time. I went through difficult times and even at that time I really believed in myself. It was very important to have my family around as well.
“Then of course I won a World Cup, that is not easy and that’s something I feel very proud of. Now I am living my life at a club like Liverpool, it’s amazing. Every player and every person has to go through good and bad moments, now I am at a time when I am really enjoying my life, so I’m very, very happy with my career so far and I am enjoying it.”
Mac Allister could line up on Thursday alongside fellow summer midfield recruit Dominik Szoboszlai for only the second time in more than three months, with the 25-year-old braced for a battle against Czech champions Sparta, who again lead their domestic league.
“He is an amazing player, a nice lad as well,” said the Argentina international of Szoboszlai. “He is doing very well. He had an injury but we cannot forget what he brings to the team. He is definitely as important as every player in this team and a special guy.
“We expect a very tough game. We know they (Sparta) are unbeaten at home and top of the league, that tells you they are a very good team. We have seen some videos and know what they do. But we need to focus on ourselves. If we focus on ourselves then we have a chance to win the game and that’s what we want. But they are definitely a very good team and it will be a great battle.”
