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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told Alexis Mac Allister signing is a mistake - 'He can't run'
Liverpool's signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton has not gone down well with everyone.
Liverpool have been warned that Alexis Mac Allister is not the type of midfielder they should have signed. Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent claims the Argentina star is not what Jurgen Klopp needed in the middle of the park.
Midfield was the main area Liverpool were looking to strengthen heading into the summer transfer window. The departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita at the end of their contracts have opened up space in the squad.
Mac Allister was swiftly brought in as the Reds' first signing of the summer. Liverpool activated his £35million release clause and will pay Brighton up to a further £20m in performance-related add-ons.
The 24-year-old has had a dream few months after winning the World Cup in December before helping Brighton qualify for Europe for the first time in their history. He has now completed a move to one of the world's biggest clubs.
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But Bent does not think Mac Allister has the speed as a midfielder that Klopp demands. He doubts that he will be able to provide what the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum could earlier in Klopp's reign at Anfield.
Bent told DR Sports: "Is he what you need though? Don't get me wrong, I like him. I think he's very good.
"He can't run. What's Liverpool's midfield problem? You've got no legs.
"Don't get me wrong, he's an unbelievable midfield player but when I think of Liverpool in the past and what made you so successful, there are people like Wijnaldum that was ratting around like pace, pace, pace in the middle of the park."
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Mac Allister will provide goals and creativity from midfield. He registered 12 goal contributions in the Premier League for the Seagulls this season.
Klopp has spoken out on his new signing, explaining why he has brought him in. The German told Liverpool's website: "We are adding a very talented, very smart, very technically skilled boy to our squad and this is super news, really it is.
"I do not think the football world needs me to say too much about Alexis’ qualities because they are already pretty well known but it is clear that he is someone who can play in a number of positions in the midfield and is an all-rounder, I would say. He is calm and composed and someone with proper game intelligence."