Liverpool target Alexis Mac Allister seen in tears as Brighton boss makes admission over his movie to Anfield

The Brighton midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks

Alexis Mac Allister cried after Brighton’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last afternoon after appearing to say goodbye to Seagulls fans after the final whistle.
The Argentina midfielder is expected to leave his current employers in the coming weeks and is a prime target for Liverpool as they prepare to rejuvenate their midfield department this summer. ECHO understands the Reds may have to fend off interest from Manchester City and Manchester United if they want to sign Mac Allister.

The clearest hint yet that the 24-year-old is leaving Brighton came with great emotion as he made his way towards supporters who had traveled to Villa Park to see Roberto De Zerbi’s side in action. As fans started chanting the midfielder’s name, De Zerbi wrapped his arm around the player before smiling and pointing in his direction. Speaking after his side’s win over Villa, the Brighton boss later confirmed he expects Sunday’s Premier League game to be Mac Allister’s last for the Seagulls. “Yes, I think it could be the last match for Alexis and Moises Caicedo,” admitted the Italian.

“I’m really sorry because they are two great people and two great players, but Brighton’s policy is like that. It’s good that they can leave, they can play at a higher level.”

Less resigned to the idea of ​​Mac Allister seeking out new pastures this summer, Brighton CEO Paul Barber played down talk of a departure when he discussed the player’s future with talkSPORT earlier this week. “I saw [Mac Allister] on the pitch and he looked very happy and obviously we want him to be here next season,” he said.

“Obviously we know there’s going to be a lot of clubs, not just in this country, but around Europe and around the world, that are going to be wanting him to play for them. But, at the moment he’s wearing blue and white stripes and I’m delighted about that.

“If I lost sleep over every report that I read about one of our players doing that then I wouldn’t be sleeping very much at all. At the moment, he’s focused on doing what he can for us during his final two games.”

Also..

Two different ways Liverpool could line-up against Brentford as 2 doubts and 2 big decisions to make

Liverpool are due to make some late fitness calls on Saturday night before the Reds host Brentford.
Liverpool remain with a broadly similar squad each time and have won their last five Premier League games.
A win on Saturday would put the Reds just one point behind fourth-placed Man United, despite having played twice as much as Erik ten Hag’s side.
Brighton are also still in Champions League qualification and would finish the season two points ahead of Liverpool if both sides win all of their remaining games. With Man United and Brighton both playing after Liverpool this weekend, Saturday’s match presents at least one opportunity for Liverpool to put pressure on their rivals.
Here’s how Jurgen Klopp’s side could line up against Brentford.
Team news

There were some injury concerns, with Klopp revealing during his press conference:

Jordan Henderson has doubts after doing “a scan” on Thursday

Diogo Jota, who trained only lightly this week, may also be missing

Roberto Firmino is expected to return to “team training” next week

Thiago underwent surgery and will be back for the pre-season

Liverpool XI vs. Brentford

After three line-up changes against Fulham, Klopp should return to a more regular XI before Thomas Frank’s visit to Brentford.
The Reds boss is currently short on good midfield options, with Henderson possibly out and Thiago recovering from surgery. After the announcement of his departure at the end of the season, James Milner is a player who could join the team.
However, Harvey Elliott is arguably more likely to regain his place in right midfield as Klopp looks forward to fighting for the honor next season.
In attack, Jota is doubtful after Klopp said the Portuguese ‘can’t do much in training’.

Here are the key points of this planned XI:

Elliott should replace Henderson, which is doubtful

Kostas Tsimikas gives way to Andy Robertson

Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez make up the attack

Here’s how Liverpool would line up:

Alison; Alexandre-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliot, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

There’s no place for Luis Diaz in either of the two planned starting line-ups as it looks unlikely the winger will start three times in seven days after more than six months on the touchline.
However, if the Colombian is fit enough for Klopp to call on him, he will fight for a spot on the left flank with Jota – even if fitness allows. Important decisions for the manager. Behind one of them, Andy Robertson will most certainly return to the team, while Curtis Jones should start his eighth game in a row:

Jota returns to the left

If suitable, Henderson starts with Jones and Fabinho – Milner on hold

Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk stay together at the back

Here’s what that alternate team would look like:

Alison; Alexandre-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo

It looks like Klopp has several decisions to make at the end of the day as Liverpool prepare for their Premier League game against Brentford.
What is certain, however, is that the Reds will stick to their new style of play with three defenders in possession and hopefully continue the winning formula.