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New Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister admits playing his part in Argentina’s World Cup victory gave him a taste for more trophies and he believes he will be able to fulfil that aim at Anfield. The 24-year-old’s arrival on a five-year contract signals the start of manager Jurgen Klopp’s much-vaunted midfield rebuild which will likely see further additions made this summer. A fee has not been disclosed but it is understood the Argentina international had a favourable release clause, which is reported to be as low as an initial £35million, inserted into the Brighton contract he only signed in October to avoid him leaving on a free at the end of the season. “Since I won the World Cup, I said that I want to win more trophies,” the midfielder told LFCTV. “I think this club will help me to do that. That’s the aim, and when you are at a big club like this one, you have to win trophies. That’s what I want. “It doesn’t matter which one. Of course, every player wants to win the Champions League and the Premier League, but I will do my best to help the team and try to win every trophy.” Mac Allister was on Liverpool’s radar prior to his move to the Seagulls in 2019 but the club felt his development was still in its early stages, although his versatility to play in several positions was a key factor in their interest. He became as a priority target ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, in which he played a significant part in Argentina’s victory, and Liverpool were keen to secure his services to avoid a bidding war having pulled out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Real Madrid-bound midfielder Jude Bellingham when he became too expensive. “We are adding a very talented, very smart, very technically skilled boy to our squad and this is super news. There is no pressure on him... our job is to help him take the next steps Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp Mac Allister said he was looking forward to working with one of the best managers in the world and Klopp was equally fulsome in his praise of the player. “We are adding a very talented, very smart, very technically skilled boy to our squad and this is super news, really it is,” Klopp said. “It is clear he is someone who can play in a number of positions in the midfield and is an all-rounder. He is calm and composed and someone with proper game intelligence. “I’m really happy his next steps will now be with us and we get to work with a player who is already excellent and experienced, but also has so much more to come given he is just 24 years old. “There is no pressure on him. He is still so young, so it is obvious he will only improve and our job is to help him take the next steps.” Mac Allister’s age and his career appearances (160) fit in with the demographics of some of the club’s most successful signings like Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Roberto Firmino and he represents the start of an overhaul of a midfield which lost James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the end of their contracts this season. The groundwork on the deal has been going on for some time as the club have a long-standing relationship with the player’s agent Juan Gemelli dating back to Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Inter Milan in 2013. Departing sporting director Julian Ward pushed the deal to completion but has now handed over transfer business to his replacement Jorg Schmadtke. Liverpool have also been linked with Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, Nice’s Khephren Thuram, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and will be looking to get the majority of their business done early in time for the start of pre-season on July 8. Mac Allister’s departure may not be the last from Brighton with Moises Caicedo, a target for Arsenal in January, attracting more interest but the Seagulls’ Argentina international left with the club’s best wishes. “We are incredibly proud of Alexis and we are sad to see him go,” said chairman Tony Bloom. “He did something very special, becoming the first Brighton and Hove Albion player to win the World Cup, and was a key player in our best-ever season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jarrod Bowen: From Hereford and Hull to West Ham’s humble European hero Paul McGinley: PGA Tour players will feel like the losers out of golf merger Declan Rice set to leave West Ham after Europa Conference League success

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Erik ten Hag fears winger Antony suffered a “serious” injury as Manchester United fulfilled the “main objective” of Champions League qualification by thrashing Chelsea. The Red Devils sealed their return to European football’s top table with a game to spare by thrashing Frank Lampard’s wasteful Blues 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday evening. Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored before Joao Felix struck a late consolation on a night that saw Antony leave on a stretcher in the first half. Asked for an update on the Brazil international, Ten Hag said: “I don’t know. Everyone has seen he came off. “I can tell you that it’s serious but we have to wait minimum 24 hours and then we know probably more about the status of his injury.” Ten Hag’s comments suggest Antony is in danger of missing the FA Cup final against Manchester City on June 3, with Luke Shaw also requiring assessment after being substituted with a reported back issue. “We have to wait,” he said. “Antony looks serious but we don’t know what it is. With Shaw, we have to wait as well. After tomorrow we know more.” Their absence would be big blows for a United side that are already without Lisandro Martinez, Marcel Sabitzer and Donny van de Beek for the FA Cup final. Beating City would be the cherry on top of what Ten Hag believes has already been a “successful season”. “I have always high expectations of myself and I think this club belongs in the Champions League, so you have to qualify in the first four,” he said. “But this league is very strong, and there are many teams, many clubs, who are competing for the position and they all can do it because they have high budgets, good squads. “We see Chelsea, they have massive, good squad with outstanding players. “So, we are happy we are in the first four. I think we played a good season in the Premier League. I would say, a very good season.” Put to Ten Hag that former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said finishing in the top four was the equivalent of winning a trophy, Ten Hag said: “Oh, I think in the Premier League, yeah, it’s something like that. “That is, I think, the main objective of the season, to get in the Champions League. “So, therefore you have to see yourself in the top four and, as I just tried to respond, the competition is tough. “It’s many teams with really good squads, good managers, so when you are in there you’re doing a good job and your team is playing well and performing well. “I think this is for this moment the maximum, but we want more.” That hunger for more means backing is required in the summer transfer window, whoever United’s owners are. “You have to see how you come out of the transfer window,” Ten Hag added. “But if I see now I think we need more, so I don’t have so much patience. And that is one of my mistakes.” Chelsea were already guaranteed to finish in bottom half for the first time in 27 years before this club record 16th defeat in a 38-game Premier League season. Interim boss Frank Lampard was understandably downtrodden in the press conference that followed his eighth loss in 10 matches in charge. “My personal feeling? I don’t think it’s about my personal feeling, I think it’s probably about the reality of where we’re at,” he said. “I’ve said it a lot going into the game, when things are off for a period, which has been the season for us – you can trace it back to probably pre-season – and then it’s not easy to turn it. “Then when you get into a run-in against top clubs that are going for something, nothing’s a given in this game. “Mixed feelings. We played OK in parts today, there was some individual performances within the game, which I think can be nice shoots for the future if they’re worked on. “But of course the reality is when you come to Manchester United and how clinical they are in front of goal and how non-clinical we were, how we defended individually poorly in the second half, then the result can come.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Michael van Gerwen creates Premier League history by winning seventh title Fleetwood owner Andy Pilley loses civil court fight with council Chiedozie Ogbene and Alan Browne in race to make Ireland’s Euro 2024 clashes

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It was a season to forget for Jurgen Klopp’s men after they struggled in the Premier League. Expectations were high for Liverpool last year but they failed to challenge for the title and even missed out on Champions League football entirely. Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich with new signings Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez unable to replicate his relationship with Mo Salah until the back end of the season. James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all left the club with Klopp focusing on midfield reinforcements during this window. World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister has signed from Brighton with the Reds targeting more players before the window closes. Here are the latest news and transfer updates from Anfield: Dominik Szoboszlai Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has rocketed up Liverpool’s list for potential midfield reinforcements after the club met with his representatives. Newcastle United were previously interested in the 22-year-old, who has a €70m (£60m) release clause in his RB Leipzig contract, but according to The Athletic, Liverpool are now in pole position for the midfielder’s signature. No offer has been made as of yet but there is increased confidence a deal can be struck. Szoboszlai impressed in the most recent edition of the Nations League and his chance creation metrics and ball-carrying ability fit the profile Liverpool are after in midfield. Federico Valverde Potentially the most exciting name on this list is Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. The Daily Mail says the Reds reportedly had a £51m bid for the Uruguayan rejected earlier this month though a potential deal for the midfielder could suit Los Blancos who are aware of the massive sum spent to secure Jude Bellingham and may need more cash to move for PSG’s Kylian Mbappe. Liverpool are reportedly preparing to submit a new proposal of around £77m according to Catalan outlet El Nacional. At just 24-years-old Valverde would bring a wealth of winning experience having already won two LaLiga titles and a Champions League trophy. His versatility across midfield is an asset that will appeal to Jurgen Klopp and 12 goals from the middle of the pitch this season is a bonus attribute. Federico Chiesa Gazzetta dello Sport report that Liverpool are keen to sign Juventus and Italy attacker Federico Chiesa. The Italian media outlet says that Chiesa does not have the best relationship with Juve boss Max Allegri and struggles to fit into his 3-5-2 formation. The 25-year-old is currently stuck in contract renewal talks but it appears a transfer away from Turin could be a real possibilty especially if a big Premier League club comes knocking. Enter Liverpool who are interested in the winger. Juventus want €60m for Chiesa though he is valued him at €40m by the Reds who are unwilling to go over that. The departure of Roberto Firmino has left a vacancy in Liverpool’s forward line but with Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota available as back-up the Reds won’t be convinced to spend more than they want to for Chiesa. Fabio Carvalho It remains to be seen whether a deal will materialise between Liverpool and RB Leipzig for Szoboszlai but there has already been one deal agreed between the two clubs after Liverpool confirmed that young midfielder, Fabio Carvalho, will join the German side on a season-long loan move. Carvalho joined Liverpool in a move last summer from Fulham, making 21 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side in all competitions and scoring three times. Khephren Thuram A player of interest to Liverpool, Thuram is currently in action for France at the under-21s European Championships alongside Manu Kone - another individual being heavily linked with an Anfield switch. Nice are said to be seeking £35m for the 22-year-old, who would bring some much-needed physicality to the midfield. Read More Chelsea transfer news: Hakim Ziyech move collapses, Mason Mount and Moises Caicedo latest Manchester United transfer news: Mason Mount bid accepted, David De Gea and Andre Onana latest Arsenal transfer news: Record Declan Rice bid, Jurrien Timber and Granit Xhaka latest Liverpool transfer news: Szoboszlai release clause, Valverde and Carvalho latest On this day in 2010: Roy Hodgson appointed Liverpool manager Man City assistant Rodolfo Borrell joins MLS side Austin FC as sporting director

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