Liverpool and Manchester United share a very fierce rivalry on and off the pitch.
The two clubs always want to beat each other – be it in a game or on the transfer market when they go head to head for the same player.
Liverpool have arguably been the more attractive destination in recent seasons because of Jurgen Klopp, but United fans will feel that there is a shift in dynamic after they signed Leny Yoro ahead of the Merseyside giants.
That can be considered as revenge for Manchester United as just over a year ago, they failed in their bid to sign a player who was on his way to Liverpool.
James Pearce has explained what happened while speaking in a video on The Kop Council YouTube channel.
Why Manchester United’s ‘late’ move for Alexis Mac Allister failed before he joined Liverpool
Liverpool signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Hove Albion for an initial £35 million fee in the summer of 2023 (Sky Sports).
The Argentine was expected by everyone to be a great signing for the Reds, and he hasn’t disappointed. He had a fine debut season at Anfield and is a fan favourite at the club.
Mac Allister was a brilliant player for club and country even before he joined Liverpool.
The midfielder was fantastic for Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi, and he also played a key part in helping Argentina win the World Cup in 2022.
That made him a wanted man, and although Liverpool were always the favourites to sign him, Manchester United tried a late hijack attempt, Pearce claims.
However, the journalist has revealed that Liverpool had been in talks with Mac Allister for many months, and the foundation they had already laid gave United no chance to hijack the move.
Pearce said: “I must stress that this what people I speak to, this is how they explain it that maybe, again I haven’t really looked upon it in this light, but obviously the vast majority of recruitment work goes on months and months and months in advance.
“Take something like when Liverpool signed Mac Allister, they put so much groundwork into signing Mac Allister that I think Man United came knocking quite late on and it was like forget it, you’ve got no chance, Liverpool are so far down the road with this.”
There’s one thing Arne Slot should not do with Mac Allister
Mac Allister was very, very good for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp in the 2023/24 season.
The World Cup winner, despite naturally being a more attack-minded midfielder, was often deployed in a number six role. He did really well there too.
However, we think Arne Slot should not use Mac Allister as a defensive midfielder. He is so much better further up the pitch in a box-to-box position.
Ryan Gravenberch played the deeper role in Liverpool’s opening Premier League game of the season against Ipswich Town.
It will be interesting to see if he will continue this weekend as well.