Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has opened up on his relationship with former boss Jurgen Klopp , admitting that it will be difficult for Arne Slot to take over from the German this summer.
The Argentine, who has been away on international duty this summer, winning the Copa America in the USA, will rejoin his teammates in Liverpool after they return from their stateside pre-season tour . Mac Allister, though, has already spoken with Slot over the phone in a bid to introduce himself.
"Obviously it must not be easy at all to replace a coach like Jurgen who was there for almost nine years and at Liverpool is now a legend of the club," Mac Allister told the Argentinean TV channel Clank .
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"Jurgen's farewell was fantastic and he himself created a song for the new coach! And I think that will help him a little. I think Arne, thanks to Jurgen, has entered the club on the right foot.
"I had talks with the new coach during the Copa America, we talked a little about the club and about what I saw and so on. You can tell he's a very trained technician. He spoke to me very well. And I talked with (Argentina teammate and Bournemouth player) Marcos Senesi who played for him at Feyenoord, and he spoke very well of him.
"So I think there is a lot of optimism about what this season is going to be like for Liverpool, beyond the fact a great manager like Jurgen has left us. We have a great group and we believe the new coach can help us achieve a lot of things. I came to Liverpool because I wanted to continue winning things and I felt it was an opportunity of being at a club that is going to fight for things."
Elaborating further on his excellent relationship with Klopp, Mac Allister even admitted that some of his teammates would joke that the pair were like family because they were so close.
"I have an incredible relationship with [Klopp]," Mac Allister said. "The truth is he always treated me with a lot of love and respect. I even have to accept that my teammates told me that I am his son! I had that all year — some got jealous and said 'Your dad, your dad.' At least now that he's gone, I have one problem less!
"I admire him, I have a great relationship with him. He wrote to me after the [ Copa America ] final and we talked a lot during the season; we exchanged opinions. I am grateful because he gave me the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. He opened the doors for me and from the first minute he defended me and helped me.
"I remember the first few games [of last season] that he had to put me in defensive midfield as there was no one else, and I received some criticism. But he always came out to defend me. I only have words of gratitude for him.
"I hope he is enjoying his life a lot. He has an Instagram now , so I notice he is enjoying his life which makes me happy because he deserves it. He worked a long time and deserves a rest."
Liverpool.com says: Mac Allister loved working with Klopp but he should be at least as suited to the way that Slot wants to play. He was superb in his debut campaign at Anfield and still has even more levels to unlock in his game.
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