Football icon Graeme Souness has sparked intrigue in the Premier League by naming his ‘favourite’ player, sidelining household names like Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer, and Bukayo Saka. Despite Salah’s commendable tally of 42 goal involvements this season, Souness has opted for Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister as the standout performer.
Graeme Souness names his favourite Premier League player
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Souness stated, “It is easy to pinpoint Mo Salah for his creativity and goals, to hail Luis Diaz for his pace and energy or to laud Virgil van Dijk for his elegance and composure.” Yet, he insists that Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool from Brighton for £55 million in 2023, deserves the spotlight this season.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who lifted the World Cup trophy with Argentina, has played a pivotal role in helping Liverpool establish a commanding 13-point lead at the Premier League summit while also guiding them into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
‘Fan of Argentinian footballers’
Souness elaborated on his admiration for Mac Allister, attributing it partly to the rich footballing heritage of Argentina. He remarked, “I’ve long believed that the best footballers come from Argentina… they make for excellent footballers and this guy is my current favourite.”
His connection to the rich football tradition, infused with a blend of European and Latin American influences, comes through in Souness’s appreciation of Mac Allister’s attributes. “It’s no wonder his teammates rib him about being Jurgen Klopp’s ‘son’,” he added, highlighting Mac Allister’s strong rapport with the Liverpool manager.
‘He’s brave and has fantastic appetite’
Souness noted Mac Allister’s commendable attitude and resilience on the pitch, particularly after a tough challenge by Bruno Guimaraes during a recent match at Anfield. “His unruffled reaction says everything about him,” Souness praised.
Speaking further, he remarked, “He is brave, full of endeavour and has a fantastic appetite for doing the hard yards.” The former midfielder believes that Mac Allister excels when he pushes forward, causing problems for the opposition. Souness didn’t hold back when discussing the financial aspect of the transfer, declaring the reported £35 million payment a bargain for the Reds.
Liverpool face strugglers Southampton next
As Liverpool gears up for their next Premier League encounter against Southampton following an unexpected defeat in the FA Cup to Plymouth Argyle, they remain on the hunt for their 20th league title. Meanwhile, Southampton is battling to escape the history books as they strive to avoid the record for the lowest points tally in Premier League history.
With both teams facing crucial matches ahead, football fans will be keen to see how Mac Allister continues to influence Liverpool’s fortunes this season.